Islamabad: Pakistan on Thursday insisted that it
is "sparing no effort" in bringing the perpetrators of the
2008 Mumbai terror attack to justice but contended that it
needed India`s cooperation for the successful completion of
the trial.
Replying to a question on US President Barack Obama`s
remark that Pakistan has a "special responsibility" to act
"transparently, fully and urgently" in the case, Foreign
Office spokesman Abdul Basit said Islamabad was committed
towards this.
"At our end, we are sparing no effort," he said.
Pakistani authorities arrested seven suspects,
including Lashker-e-Taiba operations commander Zakiur Rehman
Lakhvi, shortly after the incident on charges of planning and
facilitating the attacks.
However, their trial in an anti-terrorism court has
been marred by procedural delays.
Only one witness has testified so far in the trial
and the judge has been changed twice.
Basit said Pakistan`s commitment stands, but India`s
assistance was essential to the case.
"Pakistan is committed to bringing the perpetrators
of the Mumbai attacks to justice but we need India`s
assistance and cooperation for the successful completion of
the trial," he said.
India has accused Pakistan of not acting against JuD
chief Hafiz Saeed, whom New Delhi blames for playing a central
role in the Mumbai plot, but Islamabad has maintained that
there was no concrete proof against the LeT founder.
PTI
