Ready to act against Hafiz Saeed, give concrete evidence: Pak

Ajay Kaul
New Delhi, Aug 11 (PTI) Pakistan has said it is ready to
take action against Jamaat-ud Dawa chief Hafiz Saeed but added
that India should give "concrete evidence" that stands "legal
scrutiny" and holds him responsible for the Mumbai attacks.
Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi insisted
that his country was committed to bring the perpetrators of
26/11 to justice but could not give any specific time-frame
for conclusion of the trial in the case as the judiciary is
independent.
He termed as "preposterous" any "suggestion that there is
some sort of nexus" between ISI and Mumbai attacks, rubbishing
the contention by Pakistani-American Laskhar-e-Taiba operative
David Headley in this regard.
"The Government of Pakistan has detained Hafiz Saeed
several times but for the lack of evidence, our courts would
order his release," Qureshi told PTI in an email interview.
"We are ready to take action. We have asked India to
share with us in case they have some concrete evidence which
could stand legal scrutiny," he said.
Qureshi was responding when asked to comment on India's
persistent demand for action against Saeed who had become a
sticking point between the two countries.
India has been maintaining that it has provided ample
evidence about Saeed's role in the Mumbai attacks and Pakistan
should follow it up and initiate legal proceedings against the
JuD chief.
The fresh dossier containing more information about
Saeed's role in 26/11 attacks on the basis of Headley's
revelations was given by Home Minister P Chidambaram to his
Pakistani counterpart Rahman Malik during his visit to
Islamabad in June.
Noting that courts take decisions on legal merit, Qureshi
said, "We, therefore, did not find it out of the ordinary when
the Indian nationals accused in the Mumbai trial were
acquitted by the Indian court for lack of sufficient
evidence."
He was referring to the acquittal in May of Fahim Ansari
and Sabaudin Ahmed, who were accused of conducting recce and
preparing maps of the 26/11 targets. The Mumbai trial court
acquitted them for lack of evidence. (More) PTI