The Hindu : Terrorists sought by India not in Pak.: Qazi

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, May 20, 2002

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National

Terrorists sought by India not in Pak.: Qazi

New Delhi May 19. Calling for an impartial probe into Tuesday's Kaluchak massacre, the Pakistan High Commissioner, Ashraf Jehangir Qazi, today said none of the 20 terrorists whose extradition has been sought by New Delhi were in Pakistan.

``Not one of the 20 people that you have mentioned on that list are in Pakistan,'' Mr. Qazi, who has been asked to leave India within a week, said in an interview to Star News.

Describing India's decision asking him to return to Islamabad as "disappointing but not entirely surprising'', he said this was not a positive step that would contribute to alleviating tension between the two countries.

``But I understand the Indians felt that they had to do something and this was the easiest step to take. I wish they had not taken this point of view. Personally, I will be sorry to leave India. I have had a wonderful time here.''

He said the Kaluchak incident, which Pakistan has condemned in no uncertain terms, could not be associated realistically with his country. ``In all instances of terrorism, India had accused Pakistan but provided no evidence in support of its claim.''

When it was pointed out that all those involved in the October 1 Assembly attack in Jammu and Kashmir, the December 13 attack on Parliament and the May 14 Kaluchak incident were Pakistanis, the High Commissioner shot back, ``This is your claim''.

He said Pakistan did not condone any act of terrorism. ``If an event takes place in which innocent women, children and men are killed, we condemn it and we also ask at the same time for an impartial inquiry,'' he added.

Mr Qazi said India had given a list of 20 terrorists along with ``general statements'' that they were living in Lahore.

``You haven't framed charges which are confirmed by your own courts. These are standard procedures.''

When his attention was drawn to media reports in Pakistan that the underworld don, Dawood Ibrahim, wanted in the Mumbai serial blasts case, was living in Karachi, the diplomat said, ``No. There is no evidence that he is in Pakistan.

A newspaper report does not stand up, it's not proof.''

UNI

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