India responsible for delayed action in 26/11 case: Hina Rabbani

New Delhi: Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar, on Wednesday, shrugged off their responsibility to act against the conspirators of 26/11 Mumbai terror attack. She also snubbed Pakistan’s responsibility to act against the recent spread of rumours that triggered a mass exodus of people from the North-East region over the issue of ethnic violence in Assam.

She will be accompanying President Asif Ali Zardari to the 16th Non-Aligned Movement(NAM) summit being held in the Iran capital. She shifted the blame on India for the delay in action against the 26/11 conspirators.

With the Indian Supreme Court on Wednesday upholding the death sentence on the Pakistani terrorist Ajmal Kasab, India's case for action against others involved in the Mumbai terror attacks got strengthened ahead of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's meeting with President Asif Ali Zardari tomorrow.

While reacting to Indian SC’s judgement upholding death sentence to Ajmal Kasab, Hina Rabbani Khar said that India cannot allow access to Pakistan’s judicial commission for cross-examining witnesses and then expects them to move forward in the 26/11 case. “We have told India what are the requirements to progress on 26/11 probe,” she added.

On the other hand, Indian Foreign Minister SM Krishna in reference to SC’s judgement said "I am sure Pakistan will not fail to take note of it," and quickly added that the Pakistani judiciary is also proactive.

Indian officials pointed out that India had convicted some of those involved in the Mumbai attacks through the same set of evidence which was provided to Islamabad in a trial which was not a "show trial".

When asked about the provocative SMSes and morphed pictures of Assam violence being circulated on web, which were found to be originating in Pakistan, Hina Rabbani Khar again blamed India and local media for the situation.

She expressed her disappointment with india and said that allegations of malicious material on internet reached media before it reached Pakistan government in Islamabad.

Asserting that India has provided enough evidence to show involvement of not only non-state actors but also of official hierarchy in 26/11 attacks, the Indian officials said PM Singh will raise the issue of terrorism, which is of prime concern to the country, with Zardari.

Pakistan keeps switching judges, and people inside the jails are using mobile phones to run their network, they said, clearly expressing India's unhappiness over the slow progress of the 26/11 trial in that country.

(With Agency inputs)