Interview

Q1. India has termed encouraging Islamabad’s response to Mumbai terror attack dossier. Do you think Pakistan is doing enough to cooperate with New Delhi in Mumbai attacks? How do you respond to Islamabad’s reply? What do you expect consequently from Pakistan?

Ans: Pakistani authorities have admitted that elements in Pakistan were involved in the terrorist attacks on Mumbai. They have arrested some persons and filed an FIR. This is a positive first step.

Pakistan has also sought further information and material relating to the investigation. We will share whatever we can with Pakistan. However, the process should not be allowed to become an end in itself. We expect Pakistan to act against the perpetrators of the Mumbai attack on the basis of evidence shared with her.

The wider issue is dismantling the infrastructure of terrorism in Pakistan. Several questions arise in the aftermath of the Mumbai attacks. How did an already banned terrorist group (LeT alias JUD) carry out such an attack? Why did it have the latitude to do so? Are there other such groups? It is for the Government of Pakistan to answer these questions and act on them.