Commission to collect evidence being formed

Govt decides to constitute 'Comission' which will collect evidence regarding the Mumbai attacks.

ISLAMABAD: The government has decided to constitute a ‘Commission’ which will collect evidence regarding the Mumbai attacks in India, said Interior Minister, Rehman Malik. “The Commission will consist of two members, a prosecutor and a friend of the Court. Its members will be visiting India after consulting with the lawyers of the Federation of Pakistan who are contesting the case of Ajmal Kasab, in the Rawalpindi Special Court.”

Kasab, the lone survivor of the Mumbai attacks appealed to the Mumbai High Court on September 29 against the death sentence awarded by the Mumbai Special Court.

Malik said after a short meeting with the Indian High Commissioner Sharat Sabharwal who had called on him here on Sunday’s night. Malik had assured Sabharwal that the Pakistani authorities would extend their full support to the lawyers to precede the case. He further said that the meeting was very cordial and that the on-going trial of the Mumbai case was discussed to find a solution. Other matters of mutual interest, especially the law and order situation along the border was also discussed during the meeting, he added.

Meanwhile, interior ministry sources have told The Express Tribune that both Malik and Sabharwal discussed the matters of Common Wealth Games being held in India this week. The Minister had also pointed out that the games were a very sensitive subject and the media’s portrayal could have many repercussions on the relationship between the two neighbouring countries.

Rehman asked the Indian Home Minister to send police officials to Pakistan so that they could record their statements in the Court in Pakistan.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 4^th, 2010.