Zardari says Pakistan committed to fight against terrorism

ISLAMABAD, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari on Sunday reiterated Pakistan's resolve to fight against terrorism and visiting British Prime Minister Gordon Brown pledged more assistance.

Addressing a joint news conference after a meeting here, Zardari and Gordon Brown said that terrorism was not an issue faced by a single country and needed coordinated efforts.

Pakistani people are victims of terrorism and can feel pain of Indians after Mumbai attack, Zardari said in a statement.

He said Pakistan had offered a joint investigation to India on Mumbai attacks. Terrorism is a regional problem and Pakistan needs more help from the international community to tackle it, Zardari said.

Zardari said Pakistan had initiated its own investigation into the Mumbai attacks.

He said India still had not completed investigation on Mumbai attacks and he hoped the India could share information with Pakistan about it. He also pledged to take action against those who were behind the attacks once there were further leads and evidences.

Responding to a question about the reported violation of Pakistan's air space by Indian fighter jets, Zardari said it was a "technical incursion."

Gordon Brown disclosed that the United Kingdom would provide 6 million pounds (around 9 million U.S. dollars) to Pakistan to help it combat terrorism.

He clarified that the U.K. was offering its aid not only because of its friendship with and support for Pakistan. What is happening is Afghanistan and Pakistan may end up in the streets of Britain, he said.

Gordon Brown elaborated that the funds would be made available for better equipment and training of the bomb disposals quad, and also improvement of police and forensic capabilities.

He pointed out that three quarters of the most serious terrorists plots investigated by British authorities had links with al-Qaeda in Pakistan. He said they wanted to make sure the global problem of terrorism could be tackled from Pakistan.

He also disclosed that he had talked with the Indian and Pakistani leaders, asking them whether Britain could be allowed to question the only suspect arrested after Mumbai attacks.

The British prime minister is on a short visit to Pakistan. He held talks with Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh before meeting Zardari.