Progress in 26/11 terror case trial expected: Pakistan

Team Udayavani, Mar 18, 2017, 5:40 PM IST

Mumbai: Pakistan today said a trial in a terror case like 26/11 takes time to conclude and one must not “jump the gun” and must wait for the court verdict.

Abdul Basit, Pakistan’s High Commissioner to India, said Pakistani nationals suspected of involvement in the 2008 Mumbai attack case have been booked by the authorities and further progress is expected in the matter.

“The accused have been booked and we hope to make further progress in the matter,” he said at the India Today Conclave here.

“The crime took place in India. The trials in such cases do take time. Our government is trying hard to ensure justice (to the victims). But, let’s not jump the gun. Let us please wait for the final verdict of the court,” he said.

The Pakistani diplomat was replying to a query from a 26/11 attack survivor who attended the event.

“But, at the end of the day, bilateral cooperation is required to dispense justice,” Basit said, adding, “We also need to see why it is taking too long to bring the perpetrators of the 2007 Samjhauta Express bombing (to book).”

Replying to another query, he said as far as the trial in the Pathankot terror attack case was concerned, “we strongly feel that both the countries should cooperate (in the investigation) and we need to sit across the table”.

During an interactive session, Basit asserted that there were “no terror training camps” in Pakistan and maintained that his country too was a “victim of terrorism”.
“This blame game is not going to take us anywhere. Let’s not forget that Pakistan has been a big victim of terrorism.”

Asked if Islamabad considers 26/11 attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed a terrorist, the Pakistani envoy evaded a direct reply and said the LeT founder has been put under house arrest as per the anti-terrorism law.

Speaking at the event, former High Commissioner to Pakistan G Parthasarathy questioned the neighbouring country’s commitment to fight terrorism.

“The world’s most wanted terrorist Osama bin Laden was found living with his family members in Pakistan (in Abbottabad town which houses a military base). Every terror attack in Afghanistan emanates from the neighbouring country (Pakistan),” he said.

Taking a dig at Pakistan’s claim that it too is a victim of terrorism, the veteran Indian diplomat said, “You can’t nurture a snake in your backyard hoping it will bite only your neighbour.”