Washington - US President George W Bush on Saturday condemned the terrorist bombing at a hotel in Islambad that killed at least 50 people and injured hundreds more.

"This bombing, the latest in a series of terrorist attacks, is part of a continuing assault on the people of Pakistan. This attack is a reminder of the ongoing threat faced by Pakistan, the United States, and all those who stand against violent extremism," Bush said in a statement.

Islamabad, Sept 20 : Several senior officers of Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) who are reported to be currently visiting Islamabad were the target of the blast at the Marriott Hotel which took place here tonight.

Well placed sources said that Marriott Hotel is usual hotel choice of the US officials and it seems that militants tipped off that certain high level US intelligence officers were currently staying at the hotel.

While no confirmation was available but Pakistan sources said it was clear that the explosion was aimed at specific targets based on a tip off.

Islamabad- More than 20 people were injured Saturday in an apparent suicide car bomb attack on the five-star Marriot hotel in Pakistan's capital Islamabad, witnesses and officials said.

"I saw a car approaching the main entrance of the hotel and then it blew up," an injured witness, Mukhtar Ahmad, told Deutsche Presse- Agentur dpa before he was taken to hospital by ambulance.

A medical officer at the city's Poly Clinic Hospital said more than two dozen people were being treated for injuries, some of them foreigners.

Islamabad, Sept. 20 : Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari said today that there is scope for both his country and India to creatively reivent their bilateral ties.

Delivering his maiden speech to a joint session of Parliament here, he said the Charter of Democracy binds the government to a framework of peace and justice for the people of Pakistan and peace and friendship with India.

Pakistan has decided to resume the composite-dialogue process with India, driving its relations through enhanced trade, he added.

Islamabad, Sept. 20 : Launching what can be termed a public broadside against the Bush Administration, President Asif Ali Zardari on Saturday said that no country would be allowed to violate territorial integrity of Pakistan in the name of curbing terrorism.

Addressing his maiden Joint Parliamentary session here, Zardari touched on all issues of national importance as well as the challenges facing the country, including the war against terrorism, regional situation, economic downturn, foreign policy and the relations with the neighboring countries.

Islamabad- Pakistan's new President Asif Ali Zardari said Saturday his government would not allow any foreign nation to carry out attacks inside the country.

"We will not tolerate the violation of sovereignty and territorial integrity by any power in the name of combating terrorism," he told a joint session of the parliament, as the lawmakers thumped their desks in applause.