26/11 case: India awaiting clarifications on Pakistan panel

[Sidhu...Sidhaarth Roy]

NEW DELHI: India is waiting for Pakistan to clarify on the extent and scope of a Judicial Commission it wants to send to take the statements of a Magistrate and Investigation Officers connected to the Mumbai terror attacks, government sources said.

The sources said India would convey its decision on allowing the Pakistan Judicial Commission to come to India based on clarifications provided by Pakistan on the exact purpose of its visit. “They have mentioned several things that the Judicial Commission wants to do in India. We have sought clarifications,” said the sources.

The missive seeking certain clarifications on the Pakistani proposal for sending a three-member Judicial Commission was sent on December 17. It also contained a proposal to send a Judicial Commission from India to Pakistan to examine the accused in the Mumbai attacks and get their voice samples.

On Thursday, Pakistan sent a note verbale reminding India of its request to send a Judicial Commission to Mumbai. It requested an early decision because the next hearing of the Mumbai attacks conspiracy case in Rawalpindi will take place on January 8.

They expressed dismay over the slow pace of the trial in Rawalpindi. In over one year of trial, three judges and two prosecutors have been changed. At the last hearing on December 18, objections were raised against a defence lawyer. It was stated that he had a fake degree and the case was adjourned to January 8. Till now the anti-terrorism court in Rawalpindi has examined one out of 67 witnesses. “One can see what is happening on the ground,” said the sources while indicating that early prospects of Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi visiting India have receded.

India has taken up with Pakistan the issue of non-issuance of visas to the staff of a train. It will bring goods from Pakistan. “They talk of non-tariff barriers preventing Pakistani exports to India. Here by not issuing visas, they are themselves imposing non-tariff barriers,'' they observed.