Pakistani missions in several other countries have been indulging in anti-India propaganda, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee told the Lok Sabha on Wednesday.
"The government is aware of Pakistan High Commissions spreading anti-India propaganda. Instances of these missions facilitating terrorists have also come to notice," said Mukherjee. He added that the issue of Pakistan high commissions' involvement in anti-India activities has been taken up with the governments concerned.
The government was aware of international concerns about some areas and organisations in Pakistan providing sanctuaries to terrorists and encouraging cross-border activities, said Mukherjee.
He added that a joint anti-terror mechanism to identify and implement counter-terrorism initiatives and investigations has been put in place.
"It is the expectation of the government that the mechanism will be useful in implementing the assurance given by Pakistan to India on January 6, 2004. The Pakistan government had promised that it will not permit any territory under Pakistan's control for terrorist activities," said Mukherjee.
He also informed Lok Sabha that the state government has appointed a commission of enquiry on April 2 to probe alleged fake encounters and custodial killings in Jammu and Kashmir.
"The commission has been asked to submit its report in six months," he said. "All reported cases of alleged human rights violations are investigated promptly by the Army and stringent punishment awarded to those who are found guilty," the minister said.
Several steps have been taken to sensitise the forces, like setting up human rights cells at various levels and conducting refresher training in human rights, said Mukherjee.
