Mumbai attacks: Pakistan dismisses India’s ‘unwarranted’ protest

Insists case of alleged mastermind is being pursued vigorously

ISLAMABAD:

Pakistan put India on notice on Thursday that its protest over the release of the alleged mastermind of Mumbai attacks was “unwarranted” as the case is being pursued vigorously. Instead New Delhi was reminded that it should also focus on bringing to justice the perpetrators of the Samjhota Express attacks which happened over two years before the Mumbai incident.

“The case is sub-judice. It is unfortunate that an unnecessary hype was created on grant of bail to Lakhvi. These are legal matters and media trials serve no purpose. We should wait for the outcome of the case,” said Foreign Ministry (FO) spokesperson Tasnim Aslam at her weekly briefing.

She insisted that trial of Mumbai suspects were progressing well and used the occasion to remind India about its commitment to bring to justice the perpetrators of Samjhota Express attack in which at least 50 Pakistanis were killed.



“The investigations and the confession of the mastermind of the attack, Swami Aseemanad, pointed to the involvement of Indian military officers and some organisations linked to major political parties. Yet, Aseemanad was granted bail on August 28, 2014,” Tasnim Aslam said.

Recently, India summoned Pakistan’s High Commissioner Abdul Basit in New Delhi to lodge a strong protest after the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) accepted the bail application of Ziaur Rehman Lakhvi.

The FO spokesperson further said although Samjhota Express terrorist attack happened more than two years before Mumbai attack, it was very disappointing that India had not shared findings of the terrorist attack investigations despite assurances at the highest level. “We do not draw comparisons and do not take a similar approach. The Mumbai case is being pursued vigorously by prosecution,” she added.

Exchanging nuclear and prisoner lists

Despite border tensions, Pakistan and India on Thursday exchanged lists of their respective nuclear installations and facilities in order to prevent attacks on the sites.

According to the foreign ministry statement, the governments of Pakistan and India are required to exchange lists of their respective nuclear installations and facilities in accordance with Article-II of the Agreement on Prohibition of Attacks against Nuclear Installations and Facilities between Pakistan and India of December 31, 1988. The Indian side also handed over its list to the Pakistan High Commission by the ministry of external affairs in New Delhi. Consistent with the provisions of the Agreement on Consular Access, the ministry of foreign affairs also handed over a list of 526 Indian prisoners (50 civil plus 476 fishermen) in Pakistan to the High Commission of India in Islamabad on Thursday.

A similar list of Pakistani prisoners lodged in Indian jails was also handed over to the High Commission for Pakistan in New Delhi.

Kerry to visit Pakistan

Tasnim Aslam also confirmed reporters that US Secretary of State John Kerry is scheduled to travel to Islamabad.

“The US Secretary of State John Kerry is visiting Pakistan this month for Pakistan-US Strategic Dialogue. The arrangements are being finalised. The visit date and other details will be shared in due course,” she maintained.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 2^nd, 2014.