Pakistan Asks India for ‘More Evidence’ to Speed Up 26/11 Trial

Pakistan has already arrested seven militants, including 26/11 mastermind Lakhvi for their role in the attack.

The Taj Mahal hotel is seen engulfed in smoke during the terror attacks in Mumbai, November 2008. (Photo: Reuters)

Pakistan’s Foreign Office Spokesman Nafees Zakaria on Thursday said that they have asked India to provide “more evidence” to speed up the 2008 Mumbai attack (26/11) trial in which Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) commander Zaki-ur Rehman Lakhvi and six others were accused.

Seven militants, including 26/11 mastermind Lakhvi were arrested by Pakistan for their role in the 2008 attack that killed 166 people. They were arrested for abetment to murder, attempted murder, planning and executing the attack.

The case which has been going on for more than six years now has been a political hot potato between the two neighbouring countries.

While India has claimed that it has provided enough evidence to prosecute the accused, Pakistani officials say they don’t have substantial evidence to successfully complete the trial.

Speaking at a press conference, Zakaria added that dialogue was the only option to resolve all outstanding issues with India.

Questioned about threats against Pakistani artists in India by extremists, he said there were many Indians who welcomed and supported artists and promoted people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.

(With inputs from PTI)