26/11 trial 'stuck', formation of commission needed: Pak Rezaul H Laskar

PAK-MUMBAI

Islamabad, Sep 4 (PTI) Admitting that the trial of LeT's
Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi and six others charged with involvement
in the Mumbai attacks is "stuck", Pakistan on Saturday said
the formation of a commission to record the testimony of two
key Indian witnesses is necessary to take things forward.
Interior Minister Rehman Malik -- who had a meeting with
Indian High Commissioner Sharat Sabharwal here on Saturday
morning --contended that the trial of the Pakistani 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
after meeting Sabharwal at the Interior Ministry.
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.
Pakistani prosecutors will approach the Rawalpindi-based
trial court on Monday with a petition on forming the
commission, he said.
Though India proposed that the testimony of the two
witnesses -- the magistrate who recorded the confessional
statement of lone surviving Mumbai attacker Ajmal Kasab and
the police officer who investigated the incident -- should be
recorded via video conferencing, Malik said this was not
permitted by Pakistani laws.
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. (More) PTI RHL
AHM


The information contained in this electronic message and any attachments to this
message are intended for the exclusive use of the addressee(s) and may contain
proprietary, confidential or privileged information. If you are not the intended
recipient, you should not disseminate, distribute or copy this e-mail. Please notify
the sender immediately and destroy all copies of this message and any attachments
contained in it.