Nailing 26/11 perpetrators litmus-test of Pak's sincerity in bettering ties with India: Report

New York, Oct.3 (ANI): Improvement in Indo-Pak ties, which touched an all time low following the November 2008 Mumbai massacre, depends heavily on Pakistan's sincerity in bringing the perpetrators of the ghastly terror act to justice, a blog in one of the leading US newspapers said.

While Pakistan has promised that it will take stern action against the masterminds of the attack, its seriousness regarding issue is under doubt as the trial of the seven of the 26/11 accused has been adjourned six times in the past two months.

"It is a test for Pakistan, and the entire region, on many fronts. For India, bringing the perpetrators to justice is the essential first step toward any improvement in relations with Pakistan ," the blog on the New York Times said.

Pakistan until now has not taken any substantial step against Lashkar-e-Taiba's (LeT) founder leader Hafiz Mohammad Saeed , which India believes is the mastermind of the Mumbai attack and has only initiated a trial against, what is seems, the second string LeT leaders such as Zakiur ur-Rehman Lakhvi, LeT's operational commander and Zarar Shah.

Hafiz Saeed, the founder of Lashkar, and the man who Indian and Western officials accuse of being the actual mastermind of the attacks, is not on trial, the blog pointed out.

Moreover, a media gag on the trial has prevented the world media from reporting the trial, which again puts a question mark over Islamabad's intentions.

"It will be difficult for outsiders to judge the trial for themselves: The judge has issued a gag order to the lawyers; no media coverage is permitted; and it is being conducted within the walls of a high security jail at Adiala on the outskirts of outskirts of Rawalpindi," it went on to add.

Pakistan Interior Minister said that the trial was being conducted in camera due to security reasons, but more than that the government seems to be concerned about mollifying a public that supports Lashkar, which is evident from the excellent treatment the 26/11 suspects are being given in prison and their ability to see whomever they want, it said. (ANI)