Deputy PM L.K. Advani has welcomed Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf’s announcement of a “jehad’’ against terrorism and sought the cooperation of all countries in combating terrorism. ‘‘I welcome it. It is a very good statement,’’ Advani said today at the inauguration of the 15th All India Forensic Science Conference in Karnal.Terrorism in the name of ‘‘jehad’’ or anything else has to be fought jointly by all nations, he said urging Pakistan to take a congenial view of the initiative taken by PM A.B. Vajpayee. ‘‘There has been no concrete effort from the other side in response to our previous gestures and the region registered a spurt in terrorist activities,’’ Advani said.He said Pakistan had already made it clear during the SAARC summit that it would not allow its territory to be used by terrorists. The joint statement issued by the leaders of India and Pakistan had initiated a new era of peace and understanding. ‘‘Had such effort been made during the Agra summit, things would have been entirely different,’’ Advani said, adding the ‘‘feel-good factor’’ sweeping the country would be further strengthened.The role of forensic science in combating terrorism is being discussed at the conference being attended by about 200 delegates from 22 states.
