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India should not over-react, says Zardari

* President vows ‘strictest’ action if any Pakistani group proved involved
* Says ISI chief is too senior to be involved in probe

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on Saturday went all out to deny any Pakistani role in the Mumbai attacks and pledged action against any group found to be involved, while advising New Delhi not to ‘over-react’.

“Whoever is responsible for the brutal and crude act against the Indian people and India are looking for reaction,” Zardari said in an interview with Indian CNN-IBN television.

“We have to rise above them and make sure ourselves, yourself and world community guard against over-reaction,” he said according to an interview transcript issued by the Press Trust of India.

Strictest action: Zardari promised that he would take immediate and strong measures if proof of Pakistani involvement was provided.

“Let me assure you that if any evidence points to any individual or any group in this part of the world, I shall take the strictest of action in the light of this evidence and in front of the world,” he said. Zardari argued that reducing the Mumbai attacks to an India-Pakistan problem was counter-productive.

“This is a world threat and all the more reason we have to stand up against this threat together,” he said. Zardari said there was miscommunication with India over sending the ISI director general to India.

“We had announced that a director will come from my side. That is what was requested by the [Indian] prime minister and that is what we agreed,” he said.

“It is too early for the director generals to meet at the moment. Let the evidence come to light, let the investigation take its course. Then perhaps there is a position where the directors general could meet,” Zardari said.

Too senior: “The DG is too senior a person to get into the investigation. He is a person who overall looks into the investigation,” the president said. agencies

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