Dawood is not in Pakistan: Pak's High Commissioner to India Abdul Basit

Bengaluru, Oct 29: Pakistan High Commissioner to India Abdul Basit on Oct 28 asserted that his country was not hiding fugitive underworld don Dawood Ibrahim.

"He is not in Pakistan. Even your government is not sure about his whereabouts," he said during an interaction at an event organised by think tank Bangalore International Centre and Takshashila Institution here.

"Do share information on Dawood if you have any," he said.

Asked how Pakistan viewed Jamat-ud-Dawa, Basit said it is a philanthropic outfit, but it would be proscribed if any reason was found fit to do so "It is largely a philanthropic outfit. Yet, we have concerns and we are watching closely. It would be proscribed if any reason is found," he said.

Earlier in his talk, Basit said since India is a big country it has more responsibilities on its shoulders to put an end to violence and Pakistan is ready to engage with India with sincerity and seriousness of purpose.

"After 35 years of violence in Pakistan, a fatigue factor has set in after having suffered at the hands of terrorism. We genuinely want violence to come to an end and we are ready to engage with India with sincerity and seriousness of purpose, but India as a big country has more responsibilities on its shoulders," he said.

Basit said Pakistan should not be treated with condescension, but both the countries relationship should be based on mutual interest and respect.

"As a sovereign nation we should not be treated with condescension, but whatever relationship we ultimately have should be based on mutual interest and mutual respect," he said.

The time has come to make use of the relatively conducive environment when democracy is sustaining in his country, he said.

PTI