by Rao Bo

    ISLAMABAD, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- At a joint news conference with visiting British Prime Minister Gordon Brown on Dec. 4, President Asif Ali Zardari assured Pakistan's commitment to fight against terrorism and called for more help from the international community in this regard.

    Zardari's statement came amid escalating tension between Pakistan and India, which accused the gunmen who killed nearly 180people in Mumbai came from Pakistan. Pakistan has condemned the assault, denied any involvement by state agencies and pledged to help the Indian investigation, with proof of Pakistani involvement.

    While trying to mediate between the two countries, the U.S. and its western allies have pressed Pakistan to take swift action against those behind the Mumbai attacks and step up its efforts tofight terrorism.

    It has been seven years since Pakistan joined the war on terror led by the United States after the Sept. 11 attacks, and Pakistan has taken on burdens that are perhaps too heavy for it to shoulder.

        HEAVY LOSSES FROM GLOBAL THREAT

    Zardari said at the press conference that terrorism is a threat faced by the globe and Pakistan is a victim of terrorism and has suffered heavy losses.

    Statistics indicate that terrorist attacks are on the rise in Pakistan, which resulted in losses of innocent people and property, deteriorating security situation and faltering economy.

    According to unofficial statistics, around 90 attacks have occurred in various parts of Pakistan till now in 2008, a sharp increase compared with 56 attacks in 2007.

    Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani's motorcade was attacked when they were on their way to receive Gilani on Islamabad highway on Sept. 3. A sniper opened two shots at the car and hit one side window twice.

    Consequently the worsening security situation aggravated the financial crisis Pakistan is experiencing.

    A report released by the Ministry of Finance in November said that Pakistan had spent over Rs 2082.942 billion (around 26.704 billion U.S. dollars) on the "war on terror" since 2004.

    "The economy suffered direct and indirect losses in terms of exports, foreign investment, privatization, industrial production and tax collection because of the continuing war on terror," said the report.

    Pakistan's economy is losing 6 billion dollars a year to counter terrorism while budgetary allocations for this purpose are affecting the pace of development, a leading business source said.