India 'most welcome' to help in Mumbai attacks probe: Pakistan minister

Islamabad, Jan.18 (ANI): Pakistan government on Sunday welcomed the idea of Indian investigators helping it to probe into the Mumbai terror attack case. It also asserted that the culprits behind the incident must be nabbed.

Pakistan's Interior Ministry chief Rehman Malik has stated that the Indian investigators would be "more than welcomed" to help it in its probe into the terror strikes while adding that all the "culprits" [behind the Mumbai attacks] "must be apprehended".

Malik, however, reaffirmed its stance saying anyone found to be involved in the "heinous" attacks would be prosecuted under the (Pak) country's anti-terror laws.

Malik's comments came a day after he acknowledged that the evidence about Mumbai terror attacks given to Pakistan by India contained "leads and good clues".

"All the culprits (involved in the Mumbai attacks) must be apprehended. Who will support such acts?," Malik said to mediaperson in Lahore on Sunday after a meeting held to brief opposition PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif and his brother and Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, about Pakistan's probe so far.

Speaking to the Paistan' Geo News channel earlier, Malik reiterated its stance that Pakistan's investigations into the Mumbai attacks were being conducted under the country's laws and the government would not accept any foreign pressure in this regard.

Though Malik stated that no assistance would be sought from foreign countries but Indian investigators would "be more than welcomed" to help in the probe.

"Pakistan is very open and the inquiry officers have been bestowed with full powers to fulfil their task," Malik said.

Malik also told the Geo TV that if India persisted with its demand for the extradition of Pakistani nationals allegedly linked to the Mumbai attacks, Pakistan would seek the handing over of persons involved in the 2007 bombing of the Samjhauta Express train.

"If the Indian demand for handing over the accused in the Mumbai attacks persisted, then the accused of the Samjhauta Express case might be asked for" by Pakistan, Malik said.

Replying to a question about Indian fears of Talibanisation of the region, he urged Indian authorities to share their findings in this regard with Pakistan and cooperate with it in its bid to exterminate terrorism and extremism from South Asia.

He also said Pakistan is part of the world community and a member of various international forums and is thus bound to fulfil its international obligations.

Malik told the media in Lahore that action had also been taken against outlawed groups like the Jamaat-ud-Dawah by the provincial government of Punjab. (ANI)