Malik, Chidambaram discuss Pak's 26/11 trial

Islamabad, Sep 5 (PTI) The trial of LeT's Zakiur Rehman
Lakhvi and six other suspects in Mumbai attacks and Pakistan's
proposal to form a commission that would visit India to record
testimony of two key witnesses figured prominently in the
telephonic talks Interior Minister Rehman Malik had with his
Indian counterpart P Chidambaram.
"We discussed security issues and the ongoing trial here
in Pakistan, of those accused in the Mumbai blast," Malik
wrote on Twitter, a social networking website.
During their conversation yesterday, the Pakistani
minister proposed that a Commission may be formed to visit
India to record the testimony of two key Indian witnesses for
taking forward the trial of the seven Pakistani suspects.
"I also proposed that a Commission may be formed to visit
India and record the statements of the witnesses... I
explained to Mr Chidambaram that the appearance of two main
Indian witnesses in Pakistani Court is most important for
trial process to continue here," he tweeted.
Malik, who has over 5,000 followers on Twitter, also
"appreciated" the sympathy and condolences extended by
Chidambaram on the loss of lives and property due to the
devastating floods in Pakistan.
The Pakistani Interior Minister, who held talks with
Indian High Commissioner Sharat Sabharwal here yesterday, had
earlier told reporters that the trial of Lakhvi and six other
suspects was "stuck" over the issue of Indian witnesses
testifying via video-conferencing as this was not allowed
under Pakistani laws.
He had said that Chidambaram told him that the Pakistani
proposal about formation of a commission would be "examined"
when it is received.
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. PTI KIM
MYR