Pak Information Minister admits Qasab is a Pakistani national

Islamabad, Jan.7 (ANI): Pakistan's Information and Broadcasting Minister Sherry Rehman on Wednesday said that Ajmal Amir Qasab, the lone terrorist captured after the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, is indeed a Pakistani national.

In a text message to the Indian television channel NDTV, Rehman confirmed the news.

"We (Pakistan) are confirming Ajmal Qasab is from Pakistan, but investigations are going on," Rehman was quoted, as saying.

"Qasab has no connection with the official agencies," she added.

The Pakistan Foreign Office has also confirmed this news. The confirmation came two days after New Delhi handed over the evidence linking the Mumbai attackers to Pakistan.

On Tuesday, Oasab had again asked Pakistan Government for consular access and legal aid, which Islamabad has refused.

He has been remanded to further police custody till January 19 for his role in the shootout at the Cama and Albless Hospital in South Mumbai.

Ajmal and his slain accomplice Ismail Khan had attacked the Cama and Albless Hospital in South Mumbai killing seven persons there.

Till Wednesday, Pakistan had been consistent in denying that Qasab was one of its citizens despite news reports saying that media had visited his village in Faridkot in Pakistan's Punjab Province. Reports also carried an interview with Qasab's father in which he identified Ajmal as his son. (ANI)