Monday, July 24 2006 10:10 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Washington: Rejecting India's demand for handing over Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin and underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, a senior Pakistani minister has claimed that India 'externalises' its internal problems.

"Why should Pakistan hand (them) over? Pakistan has ten names, why do they (India) not hand them over? Why don't they arrest Dawood Ibrahim who is sitting in Dubai?" visiting Religious Affairs Minister Muhammad Ejazul Haq told Pakistani journalists here in response to a query on India's demand.

He claimed both India and Afghanistan externalise their internal problems, and don't accept responsibility.

"We are cautious in blaming other countries, for these may harm peace process and we must move forward. Therefore, we are tolerating many things," he said.

"Instead of making a hue and cry about it, we are trying to do what we have to do," he said.

Dismissing the charges of cross border terrorism, he insisted that Islamabad had already banned jihadi outfits and taken action against extremist elements.

Claiming that militancy is an 'indigenous phenomenon' in Jammu and Kashmir and that it was wrong to blame Pakistan, he said, "Why should we be interested in killing innocent civilians in Mumbai, which is a brutal act of barbarism?" Haq said Pakistan was the first country to condemn Mumbai bomb blasts, and President and Prime Minister issued statements of strong condemnation.

"Pakistan was fighting the war against terrorism as a matter of national interest and commitment," he said.