ISLAMABAD - Foreign Secretary Saleem Abbas Jilani on Thursday said New Delhi had informed Islamabad of executing Ajmal Kasab, the lone survivor involved in the Mumbai attacks.
“We were informed about Ajmal Kasab’s hanging a day before his execution,” Jilani told a press briefing. He, however, did not say if any concern was conveyed by Islamabad to New Delhi for President Parnab Mukerjee’s decision to skip the queue and reject the mercy plea of Ajmal Kasab, which was the last mercy petition received.
Jilani said he was not aware of any threat by the Taliban to Indian diplomatic mission in Pakistan to avenge the execution of Ajmal Kasab. He also expressed ignorance over any particular demand from India to increase security cover for its diplomats in Pakistan.
He, however, said suitable arrangements for the security of all the diplomats in the country were in place and no complaint had so far been received from any country.
He said Pakistan’s position on terrorism remained consistent and it condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations either in Pakistan or elsewhere in the world.
Answering a question about the dramatic change in Egyptian President Muhammad Mursi’s plan to visit Pakistan, the foreign secretary said that till late Wednesday night, he was supposed to attend the D-8 summit, but had to stay in the region due to the developments in Gaza. He said the Egyptian president had sent good wishes for the government and people of Pakistan. He said Mursi was represented by Egyptian Vice President Mahmoud Mekki. “We understand President Mursi’s compulsions,” he added. President Mursi was scheduled to address a joint session of the parliament today (Friday).
The foreign secretary said on the sidelines of the D-8 Summit, the leaders of Muslim countries discussed with President Asif Ali Zardari the situation in Gaza.
He said the foreign ministers of the respective countries would also discuss the situation, which was of significant concern for all. He added the leaders also discussed Syrian situation.
To another question, Jilani said that President Zardari, while addressing the summit, had called for resolution of the core issue of Kashmir as per aspirations of the Kashmiris and in accordance with the UN resolutions.