Pak criticises Pillai`s remarks on Mumbai attacks probe

Islamabad, Dec 9 (PTI) Pakistan on Thursday criticised
India's Home Secretary G K Pillai's remarks that the country's
efforts to persecute the perpetrators of the 2008 Mumbai
attacks are a "facade", saying such comments were
"misleading".
"The Indian Home Secretary's remarks on the Mumbai
attacks trial in Pakistan are misleading to say the least. The
Pakistan government is seriously pursuing the trial," Foreign
Office spokesman Abdul Basit told a weekly news briefing.
Basit was responding to a question about Pillai's
remarks on Monday that Pakistan's efforts to prosecute those
behind the Mumbai attacks were a "facade".
Pillai also said Pakistani authorities had not taken
action against people in the "control room" who orchestrated
the terrorist assault.
The Foreign Office spokesman contended that the trial
of seven Pakistani suspects, including Lashker-e-Taiba
operations commander Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, could move forward
if there was more cooperation from India.
"Nevertheless, in order for the trial to conclude
successfully, Indian cooperation is absolutely essential.
India needs to do more on its side, (by) taking practical
steps and by responding to Pakistan's requests in the context
of the Mumbai trial here rather than casting aspersions on our
intentions," he said.
Pakistan is currently awaiting India's response to its
request to send a commission to India to interview key persons
linked to the Mumbai attacks, including lone surviving
attacker Ajmal Kasab, the magistrate who recorded Kasab's
statement and the police officer who led the investigation
into the incident.
The trial of the seven Pakistani suspects by a
Rawalpindi-based anti-terrorism court has been marred by
countless delays and procedural wrangles.
The judge has been changed thrice and only one out of
over 160 prosecution witnesses has testified since the trial
began early last year.