ISLAMABAD, Dec 23: Interpol’s secretary-general Ronald Noble said here on Tuesday that India had not provided to him names of suspects and evidences about last month’s terrorist attacks in Mumbai.
Addressing a joint press conference with Adviser to the Prime Minister Rehman Malik at the Interior Ministry, Mr Noble indicated that India did not want Interpol’s help and a joint probe into the case.
The Interpol chief arrived in Islamabad from New Delhi where he offered assistance in investigating the Mumbai terrorist attacks.
Mr Noble did not say why India had turned down the offer but it is believed that India does not want any person or institution to delve into a ‘conspiracy theory’ relating to the killing of Mumbai Anti-Terrorist Squad chief Hemant Karkare, who was investigating the high-profile case of Samjhauta Express bombing in which over 60 people, mostly Pakistanis, were killed on February 19 last year.
There are reports that the Indian government has refused to separately investigate the killing of Mr Karkare and suggestions that it was a part of conspiracy against him.
When asked what evidence India had provided in connection with Mumbai shootout, the Interpol chief said he had not been given any significant information. “I have as much information as you have in Pakistan,” he added.
Rehman Malik said the Foreign Office had received a letter reportedly written by Amir Ajmal Kasab, seeking legal assistance.
“The letter is being examined by experts and the Foreign Office would issue a statement about it. However, there is no record of Kasab with Nadra,” Mr Malik said.
The adviser said that Pakistan and India were both victims of terrorism and needed to take joint action to eradicate the menace.
Answering a question about threats of war emanating from India, Mr Malik said the nation was united to face any challenge.
About Mumbai attacks, he endorsed Mr Noble’s statement and said India had not provided any evidence to Pakistan either. “If India gives us credible evidences about involvement of Pakistanis, the government will take action to bring them to justice,” he said.
India had neither provided any information officially to Pakistan about the arrest of a Pakistani national nor did it share any concrete proof about elements behind the Mumbai attacks, the adviser said.
Pakistan, he said, had offered unconditional support to India, but he told the Interpol chief that Pakistan would take every step to safeguard its national interests.
Responding to a question about a resolution adopted by the UN Security Council sanctions committee regarding individuals and organisations, including Jamaatud Dawa, he said the banned organisations could go to the UN to find out the reasons for which the curbs had been imposed.
Mr Noble said Pakistan was an important and cooperative member of Interpol and a victim of terrorism.
He pointed out that former prime minister Benazir Bhutto had become a victim of terrorism. He also mentioned the Marriott Hotel suicide attack and a series of other terrorist incidents in Pakistan.
The Interpol chief thanked Pakistan for sharing what he called important information and urged the international community to help the country to combat the menace of terrorism.
“Pakistan is among the countries extending their best cooperation to Interpol,” he said. During a meeting with Federal Investigation Agency director-general Tariq Pervez, the Interpol chief said the agency had always cooperated with Interpol, especially in helping member countries to identify 169 most wanted terrorists.
