Thursday, February 3 2005 20:18 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Islamabad: Pakistan today (Feb 3, 2005) said India's decision to keep away from the Dhaka SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) summit citing security concerns, which led to its indefinite postponement, was "not justifiable" as many countries witnessed acts of violence.

"Of course we are greatly disappointed," Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid M Kasuri told sources in Islamabad while referring to the postponement of the summit.

The summit was scheduled for February 6-7. It was earlier postponed in January due to tsunami disaster.

Asked about his comments on the reasons given by India for not attending the summit, he said, "Abstaining to attend the summit citing fears on law and order situation was not justifiable as many countries witnessed acts of violence."

He said in future people who were against progress being made at SAARC could keep it a hostage to the stepped up violence.

Incidents of violence have been taking place in India's North East, Balochistan in Pakistan, Nepal and many other countries, Kasuri said adding, "It is not a justification".

Stressing that repeated postponements of SAARC summits would erode confidence among people about the efficacy of the regional block, Kasuri said it would deprive it of the "feel good factor" brought in after last year's summit.

"We all need to work very hard to ensure that the wider goal of regional co-operation does not receive continuous setback," he said.

On the situation in Nepal, he said Pakistan would not interfere in the internal affairs of other countries.

He said as Chairman of the SAARC Ministers, Pakistan would make efforts in consultations with External Affairs Minister Natwar Singh and Foreign Ministers of other countries to set early dates for the summit.