Effectuating a virtual volte-face from the earlier stance on the issue, President Asif Ali Zardari of Pakistan says there is still no "real evidence" to prove that terrorists involved in the attack came from his country, he added that Ajmal Amir Kasab, the lone terrorist to be captured alive, was not yet proven to be a citizen of his country.
New Delhi blames “elements in Pakistan of involvement in the macabre assault that killed over 170 and wounded scores of others.
"Have you seen any evidence to that effect, questioned Zardari during an interview to the BBC before asserting that he had “definitely not seen any real evidence to that effect."
Zardari had earlier acknowledged that 'non-state' actors from Pakistan may have been involved in the attack.
Zaradri’s comments come amid mounting international pressure to ac against militants holed up in his country.
Soon after the attack, US, Britain and several other countries threw their weight behind India while holding ‘outfits’ present inside Pakistani may be responsible for the gruesome incident.
On being reminded that agencies across the world identified Pakistan as the place of origin of the attack, Zardari said: "Investigation is an evolving process. It has not been long enough for anybody to... even the foreign minister of India has said they are still investigating.
"I think we will hold that judgement till proper investigation and conclusive evidence is shared between Pakistan and India. We are hoping that will happen because we have asked for a joint investigation."
Milking dichotomous media reports to the optimum, Zardari attempted to wash his hands clean of Kasab, whose father, living in Faridkot - Pakistan, had earlier confirmed that the arrested terrorist was indeed his son. The President said: "We are investigating that position. There are disputed positions in the Press. Some say what you say and some say to the contrary. So I would say the investigation is ongoing. I would not jump to a conclusion."
In tacit acceptance of inactivity on part of his country, Zardari said Islamabad was prepared to act if adequate evidence of any Pakistan complicity in the attacks emerged.
"If that stage comes, and when it comes, I assure you that our parliament, our democracy, shall take the action properly deemed in our constitution and in our law," he said.
Zardari however said Hafiz Saeed, the leader of the Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) would remain under house arrest.
"Let me assure you that if there is any investigation to be found pointing towards his involvement in any form of terrorism, he shall be tried for that reason," Zardari said.
JuD, allegedly a Lashkar-e-Tayeba front, is blamed for the terror attack on the Indian commercial capital, Mumbai.
Not denying LeT's continued activities, Zardari said, "when you ban an organisation they emerge in some other form."
(PTI Inputs)
New Delhi blames “elements in Pakistan of involvement in the macabre assault that killed over 170 and wounded scores of others.
"Have you seen any evidence to that effect, questioned Zardari during an interview to the BBC before asserting that he had “definitely not seen any real evidence to that effect."
Zardari had earlier acknowledged that 'non-state' actors from Pakistan may have been involved in the attack.
Zaradri’s comments come amid mounting international pressure to ac against militants holed up in his country.
Soon after the attack, US, Britain and several other countries threw their weight behind India while holding ‘outfits’ present inside Pakistani may be responsible for the gruesome incident.
On being reminded that agencies across the world identified Pakistan as the place of origin of the attack, Zardari said: "Investigation is an evolving process. It has not been long enough for anybody to... even the foreign minister of India has said they are still investigating.
"I think we will hold that judgement till proper investigation and conclusive evidence is shared between Pakistan and India. We are hoping that will happen because we have asked for a joint investigation."
Milking dichotomous media reports to the optimum, Zardari attempted to wash his hands clean of Kasab, whose father, living in Faridkot - Pakistan, had earlier confirmed that the arrested terrorist was indeed his son. The President said: "We are investigating that position. There are disputed positions in the Press. Some say what you say and some say to the contrary. So I would say the investigation is ongoing. I would not jump to a conclusion."
In tacit acceptance of inactivity on part of his country, Zardari said Islamabad was prepared to act if adequate evidence of any Pakistan complicity in the attacks emerged.
"If that stage comes, and when it comes, I assure you that our parliament, our democracy, shall take the action properly deemed in our constitution and in our law," he said.
Zardari however said Hafiz Saeed, the leader of the Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) would remain under house arrest.
"Let me assure you that if there is any investigation to be found pointing towards his involvement in any form of terrorism, he shall be tried for that reason," Zardari said.
JuD, allegedly a Lashkar-e-Tayeba front, is blamed for the terror attack on the Indian commercial capital, Mumbai.
Not denying LeT's continued activities, Zardari said, "when you ban an organisation they emerge in some other form."
(PTI Inputs)
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