Wednesday, June 15 2005 07:53 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Islamabad: Pakistan's Information Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed last night (Jun 14, 2005) said he never indulged in any activities supporting terrorism as claimed by Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) leader Yasin Malik.

"I have never taken part in any activities in which terrorism and training camps were involved," Rashid told Pakistan's Geo TV.

Asked to comment on the JKLF leader's remarks at a photo exhibition in Islamabad on Monday (Jun 13, 2005), Rashid said it was for Malik to explain what he has said. "I have clarified that I have not conducted any training camps."

Malik was quoted as saying that when militancy was at its "zenith", Rashid had set up a "camp where 3,500 'Jihadis' were trained in guerrilla warfare."

Reacting to India's concerns over reports that he has helped organise militant camps, Rashid said the Indian official's remarks has created "apprehensions" in his mind about his proposed plans to travel by Muzafarabad-Srinagar bus to Jammu and Kashmir on June 30 but he would go ahead with it.

"It appears that the Indian government is not showing any happiness over my trip to Srinagar. This kind of statement is not helpful," he said.

Rashid said he had spoken to the Indian High Commissioner at a function on Monday and was told that permission will be given to take the media along with him.

"If the friendship has to continue and the bus should be run for Kashmiris, then I will be going to the Srinagar bus by June 30th bus," Rashid said.

India's External Affairs Ministry spokesman said that Malik's revelation was a matter of great concern.

Rashid falsely implicated

Strongly objecting to local media reports, Pakistan said its Information Minister Sheikh Rashid was "falsely implicated" by a news report alleging that he conducted training camps for Jehadis.

Rashid was "falsely implicated for his alleged role in running training camps for the Jehadis," Pakistan Foreign Office said in a statement issued late last night.

"The news item is based on reported remarks by Muhammad Yasin Malik, in which he was misquoted that Sheikh Rashid Ahmad was involved in running training camps for militants," it said.

"The Government of Pakistan strongly refutes this news story, which is obviously based on lack of comprehension by the Reporter. In fact, Yasin Malik in his remarks at the inaugural ceremony of his photo exhibition at a local hotel, had commended the moral support extended to the Kashmir cause by the Minister," it said.

'Daily Times' newspaper had quoted Malik as saying that when militancy was at its "zenith", Rashid had set up a "camp where 3,500 'Jihadis' were trained in guerrilla warfare."

"The Government of Pakistan regrets this baseless news story," it said.

"Any out of context interpretation to the remarks made by the Kashmiri leader should be avoided which could vitiate the existing environment and could have negative impact on the ongoing peace process," it added.

The statement however made no reference to the India's External Affairs Ministry spokesman's remarks expressing concern over the Minister's reported involvement in running militant camps.