Pakistan will examine the issue of providing assistance to Ajmal Kasab, convicted for involvement in the Mumbai terror attacks, only if he seeks such aid, Interior Minister Rehman Malik said on Monday.
Mr. Malik told reporters outside parliament that the Pakistan government will react to the conviction of Kasab only after the detailed judgment is made public.
He made the remarks hours after a special court in Mumbai found Kasab, the lone terrorist arrested during the attacks, guilty of murder and waging war against India.
Kasab was convicted on most of the 86 charges against him and faces the death penalty.
Asked by reporters if the Pakistan government will provide aid to Kasab, Mr. Malik said authorities would act within the provisions of law.
“If someone wants or applies (for assistance), we will examine it. If he doesn’t apply, then we will not examine it,” he said.
“Help is given to those who ask for it. If you ask (me), a terrorist is a terrorist,” Mr. Malik added.
Referring to the trial of seven suspects arrested by Pakistani authorities for alleged involvement in the Mumbai attacks, Mr. Malik said the First Information Report against these persons was filed on the basis of Kasab’s statement.
“Our court will want that the person who recorded Kasab’s statement should come (to Pakistan) to testify,” he said.
The Pakistan government recently sought formal access to Kasab to facilitate the trial of the seven suspects, including Lashker-e-Taiba commander Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi.
Mr. Malik also there was credible information about the death of Hakimullah Mehsud, the chief of the banned Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan.
However, the government cannot conduct a DNA test to prove the death of Hakimullah Mehsud as it did not possess his body, he said.
Hakimullah Mehsud claimed in new video posted on the internet today that he was alive and well.
He also warned that his fighters would carry out attacks on major cities in the U.S. within a month to avenge the killing of top Taliban leaders like Baithullah Mehsud.
Reports earlier this year had said that Hakimullah Mehsud was killed in a U.S. drone attack in Pakistan’s tribal belt in January.
Mr. Malik further said: “Terrorists are not Muslims. They are rather infidels. The operation against militants will continue till the last militant is killed or captured.”
Showing posts with label Rehman Malik. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rehman Malik. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Monday, March 8, 2010
Pak Minister sees RAW hand in Lahore attack
A Pakistani Provincial Minister on Monday alleged that India’s RAW was involved in the suspected suicide car bomb attack in Lahore, even as federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik claimed “signatures of India” were there in weapons seized from militants in the tribal areas.
Punjab Province Law Minister Rana Sanaullah alleged that India’s Research and Analysis Wing intelligence agency was involved in Monday’s suspected suicide car bomb attack on a special investigation unit that killed 12 people.
“Besides other neighbouring countries, India’s RAW agency is also involved. Israel and other countries could also be involved,” he told reporters in Lahore.
At the same time, Mr. Sanaullah claimed militants against whom Pakistani security forces were conducting operations in the Waziristan tribal region were behind the terrorist attacks.
He claimed these militants were being backed by “foreign hands”.
Speaking to reporters here, Mr. Malik identified India as the “foreign hand” behind several attacks in Pakistan.
Asked by reporters to identify the “foreign hand” behind the attacks, Mr. Malik said: “I have identified it several times. All the weapons are coming from Afghanistan. The signatures of India are very much there in weapons seized in (Pakistan’s) tribal areas.”
Mr. Malik said Pakistan would present “evidence” of India’s alleged involvement in the attacks whenever talks are held between the two sides.
“We have compiled the reports and evidence and whenever India sits for talks, we will raise this issue. We have also raised it several times and will continue raising it.
“That’s why we say India should come to the negotiating table and both sides can present their reservations and proof,” he added.
Mr. Sanaullah was in news recently for meeting and travelling with leaders of the banned Sipah-e-Sahaba terror group while campaigning for by-polls in Jhang district of Punjab.
Punjab Province Law Minister Rana Sanaullah alleged that India’s Research and Analysis Wing intelligence agency was involved in Monday’s suspected suicide car bomb attack on a special investigation unit that killed 12 people.
“Besides other neighbouring countries, India’s RAW agency is also involved. Israel and other countries could also be involved,” he told reporters in Lahore.
At the same time, Mr. Sanaullah claimed militants against whom Pakistani security forces were conducting operations in the Waziristan tribal region were behind the terrorist attacks.
He claimed these militants were being backed by “foreign hands”.
Speaking to reporters here, Mr. Malik identified India as the “foreign hand” behind several attacks in Pakistan.
Asked by reporters to identify the “foreign hand” behind the attacks, Mr. Malik said: “I have identified it several times. All the weapons are coming from Afghanistan. The signatures of India are very much there in weapons seized in (Pakistan’s) tribal areas.”
Mr. Malik said Pakistan would present “evidence” of India’s alleged involvement in the attacks whenever talks are held between the two sides.
“We have compiled the reports and evidence and whenever India sits for talks, we will raise this issue. We have also raised it several times and will continue raising it.
“That’s why we say India should come to the negotiating table and both sides can present their reservations and proof,” he added.
Mr. Sanaullah was in news recently for meeting and travelling with leaders of the banned Sipah-e-Sahaba terror group while campaigning for by-polls in Jhang district of Punjab.
