Pakistan to allow Indian team to probe 26/11 terror case

New Delhi, Mar 29 (PTI) After dilly dallying for
months, Pakistan on Tuesday agreed to allow an Indian
commission to visit the country in connection with 26/11
Mumbai terror attack case probe there, setting a positive
backdrop for the Prime Ministerial meeting in Mohali
Wednesday.
Pakistan, which had been dragging its feet on allowing
Indian investigators on its soil in relation to probing the
source of the Mumbai attack, expressed its readiness during a
meeting between Home Secretaries of the two countries which
ended Tuesday.
A joint statement issued at the end of the meeting
reiterated the commitment of the two sides to fight terrorism
in all its forms and manifestations and reaffirmed the need to
bring those responsible for such crimes to justice.
"The meeting was extremely positive. It had moved
forward in reducing trust deficit (between the two countries)
significantly," Home Secretary Gopal K Pillai said after the
meeting.
The joint-statement listed various areas of
cooperation including countering drug and human trafficking,
streamlining visa procedure, fake currency, cyber crimes and
maritime cooperation.
"Pakistan side provided updates on the ongoing trial
and investigation in Pakistan on the Mumbai terror attacks.
Pakistan conveyed its readiness, in-principle, based upon the
principle of comity and reciprocity, to entertain a Commission
from India with respect to Mumbai terror attack
investigations," the statement said.
Modalities and composition in this connection will be
worked out through diplomatic channels, it said.
The dates for the visit of the judicial commission
from Pakistan in connection with Mumbai terror attack trial
will be conveyed by India within four to six weeks.
The National Investigation Agency in India and
Pakistan's Federal Investigation Agency will continue to
cooperate in the Mumbai terror attack investigations, it said.
On the issue of providing to India the voice samples
of alleged masterminds of the attack, sources said Pakistan
officials have said that a lower court had rejected their case
in this regard. An appeal has been filed with the High Court
and a positive outcome is expected, New Delhi has been told.
The joint statement said both the sides agreed to
set-up a joint working group to examine the modalities for
streamlining the visa procedure/modalities and for giving a
final shape to revision of the bilateral visa agreement.
Official sources said a proposal has been put forth to
relax norms for issuance of visa to journalists, businessmen,
senior citizens and patients coming for medical treatment.