Pakistan wants progress on Mumbai attack case: Rehman Malik

Interior Minister Rehman Malik stressing the need of formation of a commission has said that Pakistan wants progress on the Mumbai attack case and would extend every possible cooperation to India in this regard. Talking to media after meeting with Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan Sharat Sabharwal who called on him at the Interior Ministry here on Saturday morning said the formation of a commission to record the testimony of two key Indian witnesses is necessary to take things forward. He contended that the trial of the suspects has run into problems over the issue of Indian witnesses testifying via video-conferencing as this is not allowed under Pakistani laws. He said he had discussed the formation of the commission comprising "relevant officials" -- which would visit India to record the statements of a magistrate and a police officer -- during a recent telephonic conversation with his Indian counterpart P Chidambaram. Chidambaram had told him that the Pakistani proposal would be "examined" when it is received, Malik told reporters. The Pakistani anti-terrorism court conducting the trial is yet to decide on India's proposal that the witnesses should testify via video-conferencing "and the trial is stuck," he said. "We want this trial to go ahead. That's why I have proposed to India, while talking to Mr Chidambaram, that how about if we move our case to our trial court and request them to appoint a commission?" he said. Prosecutors will approach the trial court on Monday with a petition on forming the commission, he said. Though such video-conferencing is not allowed under domestic laws, prosecutors have made a special request to the trial court to allow Indian witnesses to testify over a video link. The anti-terrorism court is yet to decide on this issue, Malik said. Malik said he and Chidambaram had discussed "matters related to security issues and certain aspects of the ongoing trial of the Mumbai blast accused in Pakistan" during their telephone conversation. He did not say when he had spoken to Chidambaram. He also said authorities in Islamabad expected to receive India's response to Pakistan's latest dossier on the Mumbai attacks early next week. In response to a question on the aid offered by India for victims of Pakistan's devastating floods, Malik said Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani had done the right thing by accepting the assistance. "If they (India) have made a good gesture, we should not refuse it. The Prime Minister of Pakistan has taken a very right decision by accepting it," he said. Condemning the Quetta incident he said that people who attack Muslims on Youm-ul-Quds and Youm-e-Ali are in no way Muslims. Terrorists are attempting to malign Islam and Pakistan however they would not succeed in their notorious designs. He further said that in a congregation containing thousands of people any suicide bomber can penetrate into the crowd and it would be difficult to stop him. He appealed to Ulema to limit their congregations. He said that government has taken every possible measure to ensure complete security. He however ruled out security lapse. He said that Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, Al-Qaeda and Taliban are one of the same and have united to spread terrorism in the country however Pakistan would continue to fight terrorism. He further said that security plans for Eid is under review and we are prepared to thwart any untoward incident. In response to a question he said that President Asif Ali Zardari can pardon PML-N leader Sohail Zia Butt if he asks him.

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