Pakistan delays Mumbai prosecution visit

Alleged mastermind Lakhvi's counsel made a formal request in court to delay the visit until after February 12.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani investigators and lawyers Tuesday delayed plans to visit India to gather more evidence for the prosecution of seven suspects linked to the 2008 Mumbai attacks until later this month.

The visit was scheduled between February 1 and February 10 in a bid to cross-examine witnesses to the carnage that killed 166 people.

Khwaja Harris Ahmad, counsel for alleged mastermind Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, made a formal request in court to delay the visit until after February 12.

That date marks the end of the traditional Muslim 40-day mourning period for his father, whom Ahmad has asked to replace as Lakhvi's lawyer.

"I also submitted my travel documents in the court today to join the panel whenever it embarks on the visit to India," said Harris.

Ahmad said that there would be further updates about the visit when the anti-terrorism court in Rawalpindi resumes its hearing on February 11.

Pakistan had wanted Mohammed Ajmal Amir Kasab, the lone surviving gunman from the Mumbai attacks, to testify.

But Kasab, who has appealed against a death sentence in India, has not been included on the list of witnesses whom the panel wishes to cross-examine.

India blamed the Lashkar-e-Taiba group for training, equipping and financing the attack with support from "elements" in the Pakistani military.

Pakistan in 2009 indicted seven alleged perpetrators over the attacks but said it needs to gather more evidence in India before proceeding further.

New Delhi says Pakistan's attempts at prosecution have been a "facade" and insists it has already handed over enough evidence to convict the accused men.