The Asian Age – Hafiz was never held in 26/11 case

Namrata Biji Ahuja, Asian Age Correspondent

Delhi, 18 December 2012. Pakistan’s lie on Lashkar-e-Tayyaba patron and Jamaat-ud-Dawa chief Hafiz Saeed stands exposed as documents provided by Pakistan interior minister Rehman Malik to the Union home ministry clearly show Islamabad never detained or arrested Saeed in the 26/11 terror attack case.

During his just-concluded India visit, Mr Malik had turned down New Delhi’s request for action against Saeed, arguing there was lack of “credible evidence” against the 26/11 mastermind who had repeatedly been acquitted by the Pakistani courts. The fact that none of the three cases referred to by Mr Malik involved Saeed’s role in 26/11 has widened a trust deficit between the two nations on whether Islamabad is deliberately brushing aside New Delhi’s concerns under pressure from the ISI, top security officials said.

“For us, Saeed’s involvement in 26/11 can expose the Laskhar-ISI nexus. Saeed’s quitting LeT in 2001, months before Pakistan imposed a ban on it, indicates there was a move to give him safe passage,” the officials remarked.

Nailing Pakistan’s lie, Union home minister Sushilkumar Shinde on Monday told Parliament that Mr Malik appeared to have been “misinformed in the matter of Hafiz Saeed”. “We had been given to understand by the interior minister of Pakistan that Mr Hafiz Saeed had been arrested on charges of being a part of the conspiracy for the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks,” he said, adding, “From the papers given to us, it is clear that the detentions of Saeed in these cases were for other reasons and not for his role as a conspirator in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.” he said.

http://www.asianage.com/india/hafiz-was-never-held-2611-case-833

The Tribune – Pakistan promises action against Hafiz Saeed; Malik says 26/11 attacks, Babri must never recur

Ajay Banerjee, Tribune News Service

New Delhi, December 14. Pakistan Interior Minister Rehman Malik began his three-day visit to India on Friday with a reference to the demolition of Babri Masjid. In a way, he equated the demolition of the disputed structure in Ayodhya with terror incidents, saying his country didn’t want incidents such as the Mumbai terror attacks, the Samjhauta train blasts or the Babri mosque demolition.

Sharing dais with Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde at a ceremony to operationalise a new visa regime, he said the perpetrators of the Mumbai attacks, including Hafiz Saeed, would be brought to justice.

The fact that he spoke about the Babri mosque in the same breath as some of the globally decried terror incidents was not lost on the Indian authorities. As soon as Malik ended his 10-minute speech, Shinde retorted by saying that such promises on 26/11 accused had been made in the past also, but these were never honoured.

“We can work together,” said Malik while repeatedly referring to Shinde as his brother. “I have brought a message of peace from Pakistan. We have seen enough on both sides. This is the time we should work together. Forgetting the past, we have to move forward,” he said. “We have taken the Mumbai attacks seriously and arrested seven of them (accused). Another 20 are proclaimed offenders.

Every time your government raises this demand, people in Pakistan ask what happened in the Samjhauta train blast case,” he added. Persons associated with right wing Indian groups had been facing trial, but nobody had been convicted so far, he added.

On Hafiz Saeed, he said, “I can assure the Indian authorities that we will not leave any stone unturned. The day is not far when you will see his conviction and justice being done.”

Saeed routinely spews venom against India while speaking from public platforms in Pakistan. Seven persons, including Saeed, are facing trial in a Rawalpindi court. The authorities had arrested Saeed thrice so far, but every time he was let off for want of evidence. India is relying on the testimonies of David Coleman Headley and Ajmal Kasab.

Referring to the 26/11 trial in Pakistan, Malik said, “We have made every effort to fast track the case.”

Speaking at the airport about Army Captain Saurabh Kalia who was allegedly tortured by Pakistani soldiers during the Kargil war, Malik said while he didn’t know whether a Pakistani bullet killed Kalia, it was regrettable and that he didn’t want such incidents to be repeated.

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2012/20121215/main1.htm

The Tribune – Act against Hafiz Saeed, Krishna tells Pakistan

K V Prasad

Lahore, 10 September 2012. Continuing to exert pressure on Pakistan to act against terror, India on Sunday conveyed to Chief Minister of Punjab province in Pakistan that Jamat-ul Dawa Chief Hafiz Saeed, a mastermind behind the Mumbai terror attacks, remains free and
sought action against him.

The issue was broached by External Affairs Minister S M Krishna during his interaction with the Chief Minister Shahabaz Sharief. The minister said that Saeed was known to be staying in the city, the capital of Punjab province whose government is headed by Sharief’s party, Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz).

On his part Sharief told Krishna that being a provincial government, he could act only after the issue is referred to his government by the Federal Government in Islamabad. He, however, stated that there is nothing like a good terrorist or a bad terrorist and underscored the stand taken by the party against such activities. The Chief Minister drew the attention that the PML(N) chief Nawaz Sharief had got into trouble for his observations on terrorism and its impact.

Two days ago, Pakistan media carried a statement from Lahore quoting Saeed at a public meeting in which he alleged that Krishna’s visit was aimed to detract from the issue of Jammu and Kashmir and reiterating his organisation’s support for it.

At the meeting and the lunch, he hosted in honour of Krishna, the Chief Minister dwelt at length on how trade and business with India would benefit the country in general and Punjab province in particular. Also present at the meeting were a large number of business representatives signalling immense interest in Pakistan over expanding trade and business ties with India.

Yesterday, India and Pakistan signed a new liberal visa regime introducing a new category for business persons that would make travel easier with lesser restrictions, including exemption from police reporting in certain cases.

The External Affairs Minister arrived here for a day-long visit from Islamabad on the way back home. Besides meeting the Chief Minister, he also called on Punjab Governor Latif Khosa. As part of the tour, the minister also paid respects at the 11th century shrine of Sufi saint Daata Ganj Baksh in the walled city area of Lahore. Krishna also visited Minar-e-Pakistan that symbolises the place where Muslim League passed a resolution in 1940 for a separate state. Wishing the people peace and progress, the minister said he believes India and Pakistan can and need to live respectfully.

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2012/20120910/main2.htm

Dawn – Mumbai attack was run from Pakistan, India says

New Delhi, 30 June 2012. The leader of the Pakistan-based militant group India blames for the deadly 2008 Mumbai attacks may have been present in a Pakistani “control room” where the attacks were coordinated, India said on Friday.

Indian authorities have long viewed Hafiz Saeed, founder of Lashkar-i-Taiba, as the mastermind of the attacks in which 166 people were killed.

In April the United States announced a $10 million reward for information leading to his arrest.

Although Islamabad did not react to the charges on Friday, it previously has rejected Indian allegations of any involvement and said it has acted against the members of Lashkar-i-Taiba accused of mounting the raid.

Home Minister P. Chidambaram told reporters that questioning of an Indian man suspected of helping plot the operation had revealed the existence of the control room and suggested it had state support.

“Yes, others were also present and we think one of them was Hafiz Saeed,” Chidambaram said when asked if the group’s founder had been in the room at the time.

Sayeed Zabiuddin Ansari, an alleged key plotter of the attacks, was arrested in New Delhi on June 21 as he arrived from Saudi Arabia.

The police have accused him of training the 10 militants who went on a rampage in India’s financial hub.

Ansari, who also went by the names Abu Hamza, Abu Jindal and Abu Jundal, was present in the “control room”, located in the Pakistani port city of Karachi, Indian newspapers, citing intelligence sources, said on Wednesday.

“His interrogations now prove beyond doubt the existence of such a control room,” Chidambaram said. “Such a control room could not have been established without some kind of a state support.”

The Mumbai attacks served to further strain the already fragile relations between the nuclear-armed neighbours, which have fought three wars in the past 65 years.

http://dawn.com/2012/06/30/mumbai-attack-was-run-from-pakistan-india-says/

The Asian Age – Pakistan defers signing of visa deal, India miffed

Asian Age Correspondent, with agency inputs

Islamabad/New Delhi, 26 May 2012. India and Pakistan on Friday failed to sign an agreement on a liberalised visa regime, expected at the end of the home secretary-level talks in Islamabad, and merely agreed to do so soon, after Islamabad insisted at the last minute on “political participation”.

The two sides, however, did agree to further cooperation between their investigative agencies, including on 26/11, while Pakistan agreed in principle to receive an Indian judicial commission for a probe into the November 2008 Mumbai attacks.

India’s displeasure at Friday’s developments was evident with foreign secretary Ranjan Mathai telling reporters in New Delhi: “We had gone there fully prepared to sign it (the agreement).” He also noted “both sides had attached a lot of importance on signing the visa agreement”.

Mr Mathai attributed the failure to ink the pact to “some delay in their (Pakistani) procedures” as well as Pakistan interior minister Rehman Malik’s “desire for political participation in inking the agreement”.

Mr Malik, who met India’s home secretary R.K. Singh separately, said he had invited home minister P. Chidambaram to visit Pakistan, and hoped the agreement could be signed during Mr Chidambaram’s visit.

Mr Malik had made a similar suggestion a month ago, but Mr Chidambaram had declined then, suggesting it be done at the talks between the home secretaries.

Mr Mathai recalled the decision (on the visa agreement) was taken when Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New Delhi in April. The planned visa regime relaxation was seen as a major step in furthering the peace process. External affairs minister S.M. Krishna told Parliament after the Singh-Zardari meeting a “liberalised visa agreement should be signed at the next meeting of the home secretaries”.

A joint statement issued in Islamabad on Friday after the two-day talks between Mr R.K. Singh and Pakistan’s Khwaja Siddique Akbar said the two nations agreed to sign a new visa agreement at an early date. The Pakistani side said “some internal approvals were under process, and (it) will be signed once they are in place”.

On 26/11, it said Pakistan “agreed in principle to receive a judicial commission from India”, and that “modalities, mandate and composition of the commission will be worked out through diplomatic channels”.

Mr Malik said both sides exchanged dossiers on terror-related issues, and Pakistan had got additional evidence from India against Hafiz Saeed. He added Pakistan could not act on the basis of “hearsay”, and that it would examine the evidence against Saeed.

http://www.asianage.com/india/pak-defers-signing-visa-deal-india-miffed-000

BBC News – Pakistan President Zardari visits India for talks

Sunday 8 April 2012. The President of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari, is due to travel to India in the first visit there by a Pakistani head of state for seven years.

Mr Zardari will meet Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, before travelling to an important Muslim shrine in Rajasthan.

Officials say the trip is a private visit, but there is hope it could boost economic ties between the two nations.

However correspondents say little progress is expected on other issues.

Officials say Mr Zardari is coming for private religious reasons – to visit the shrine of Sufi saint Moinudin Chishti in Ajmer, 350 kilometres (220 miles) southwest of Delhi.

The president was due to land in Delhi at 11:00 (05:30 GMT) and meet Mr Singh at his residence before flying south to Ajmer and then returning to Islamabad in the evening.

Pilgrimage spot

Relations between the two countries have been gradually improving since peace talks were derailed after the Mumbai attacks in 2008.

Mr Zardari recently backed the lifting of trade restrictions on India, and Pakistan is also talking of dropping a restrictive list of what products it will buy from India.

But tensions remain over more sensitive issues, such as the disputed region of Kashmir, and Pakistani militant activity against India.

Only this week, India again called for Pakistan to hand over Hafiz Saeed, the man it alleges planned the Mumbai attacks, after Washington announced a $10m bounty for his arrest.

Pakistan has again refused, asking to see proof for the allegations.

Correspondents say few expect any headway with these issues during Mr Zardari’s visit.

The BBC’s Andrew North in Delhi says it used to be cricket that gave Indian and Pakistani leaders the cover they need to meet.

The last time a Pakistani leader met Mr Singh was in 2005 when then Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf happened to be at the same cricket match as the Indian prime minister in Delhi, our correspondent says.

The shrine of Sufi saint Moinudin Chishti is one of the most popular pilgrimage sites in the region, receiving a constant flow of devotees.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-17648622

The Hindu – Despite our handing over dossier, Pakistan has not acted: Krishna

Special Correspondent

Bangalore, 6 April 2012. Ahead of Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari’s visit to India on Sunday, External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna on Friday said though New Delhi gave details to Islamabad of the involvement of Lashkar-e-Taiba leader Hafiz Muhammad Saeed in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, the neighbouring country chose not to act.

Home Minister P. Chidambaram provided to Pakistan a dossier containing details of Saeed’s involvement in the planning and execution of the 2008 attacks, Mr. Krishna told reporters here.

The U.S. has announced a $10-million bounty on Saeed’s head and India has welcomed it.

Asked about Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani’s statement that the Saeed matter was an “internal issue” and if there was any concrete proof against him, then it should be provided to his country, Mr. Krishna said: “So no amount of denial would exonerate them unless there is a judicial inquiry into the whole episode whereby responsibilities can be fixed.

But unfortunately, Pakistan had not thought it proper to investigate this.”

Asked whether the Saeed issue would figure during a lunch to be hosted by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in honour of Mr. Zardari, Mr. Krishna said major bilateral issues would be discussed during the talks. “This is a private visit by President Zardari to India and he is coming on a religious mission to Ajmer and I do not know whether they will have enough time to go into greater details,” he noted.

Ties between the two countries had been looking up in the last couple of years although a number of issues were yet to be resolved, he said.

On Pakistan Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar’s visit to India last year, he said she had stated that there was a “change in mindset” in Pakistan towards India.

On China’s objection to India exploration for oil in the disputed areas in the South China Sea, Mr. Krishna said, “South China Sea is the property of the world. The Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean) and China had accepted it.”

UK decision

Mr. Krishna said he would seek details of the British government’s decision to discontinue a provision that allowed Indian students to work in the U.K. for two years after completion of their courses as part of drive to cut immigration. “I have asked the High Commissioner to brief me on the issue,” he said.

Under the Tier 1 (post-study work) route, Indian and other non-EU students were able to work for two years in the U.K. after completing their university courses. This route was closed from Friday.

This was popular among self-financing Indian students who sought to recover some of the study expenses by working for two years.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article3287322.ece?homepage=true

The Hindu – India’s ‘most wanted’ comes on air

Hafiz Saeed counters Mani Shankar Aiyar on Pakistan television show

Anita Joshua

Islamabad, 4 February 2012. Dove was pitted against hawk live on television on Thursday evening when noted anchorperson Hamid Mir brought in “India’s most wanted” Hafiz Saeed on telephone to present the other voice to Rajya Sabha member and advocate of peace with Pakistan, Mani Shankar Aiyar.

As is invariably the case with anything India-Pakistan, the verdict was divided on how that six-minute encounter went. While Mr. Aiyar’s reference to the Jama’at-ud-Da’wah (JuD) head as ‘Hafiz Sahab’ has brought him brickbats from Indian netizens, their Pakistani counterparts thought otherwise. And, not many took offence to the parliamentarian reiterating India’s demand for Hafiz Saeed’s arrest.

The brief encounter saw Hafiz Saeed justifying JuD’s opposition to granting Most Favoured Nation status to India till pending issues including Kashmir are resolved. Alleging that India was building dams on the other side of Kashmir to divert waters and dry up Pakistan, he said: “It will create a crisis. They will make their land fertile. They will sell their cheap products here and try to turn Pakistan into their market.”

Asked how pending issues could be resolved without talks, the JuD leader maintained he had never opposed dialogue with India but alleged that New Delhi had never shown seriousness in resolving issues.

“India has always indulged in delaying tactics while pushing its agenda.”

Given a chance to rebut, Mr. Aiyar countered: “Hafiz Sahab belongs to a minority group and the majority of Pakistanis want peace with India. Like Hafiz Sahab, we also have some Hafizs who do not want progress but thankfully common people here want better links. We want him arrested and taken to a terrorism court.”

When it was pointed out that there was no case against him, Mr. Aiyar shot back that is what India was upset about. Hafiz Saeed’s defence was that a High Court and the Supreme Court of Pakistan had acquitted him after being arrested by the Pakistan Government on charges made by India. “India is unwilling to accept our courts, our laws…the reality is that India does not accept Pakistan’s existence,” the JuD leader said to which Mr. Aiyar said India not only accepted Pakistan as an independent country but also wanted to see it become strong and prosperous.

Pat came Hafiz Saeed’s reply. “If you accept Pakistan then why not accept our courts’ verdict. If you do not like our courts, then take me to any foreign court and produce your evidence before that court. But you are not willing to accept any court’s decision. Then how do they say they accept Pakistan. You should not feel offended by my words but there should be an answer to this.”

At this point, for reasons best known to Mr. Mir, he cut short the discussion with Hafiz Saeed and did not insist on a reply from Mr. Aiyar who was in Pakistan to deliver the second in a series of lectures organised by the Jinnah Institute on India-Pakistan relations.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article2858127.ece

The Hindu – Hafiz Saeed ‘threatens’ India

Hasan Suroor

London, 24 January 2012. In a spectacle guaranteed to “send a chill through New Delhi,” as The Financial Times put it, Hafiz Saeed, the suspected mastermind behind the 2008 Mumbai terror bombings, is being feted in Pakistan as a “hero” attracting thousands of people as he “criss-crosses” the country at the head of a radical road-show targeting India and calling for “jihad.”

The newspaper suggested that Mr. Saeed’s campaign had the covert support of Pakistan’s “India-fixated [military] generals” opposed to Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari’s bid to improve relations with India. His re-emergence in such a big way after being forced to lie low following the Mumbai carnage was a “stark illustration of how the authorities allow extremists to flout bans and operate in full view,” it said.

In a front-page report, “The mullahs, the militants and the military — Pakistan’s shadowy coalition stages return,” the FT said a crowd of 10,000 chanted “If God asks, we will go for jihad” at a rally he addressed recently.

Mr. Saeed, founder of the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), said he wanted to send a message to India, America and NATO forces that the defence of Pakistan was his main priority.

“Pakistan is facing very severe threats from both sides — India is one side, America and NATO forces on the other, and the agenda of both is Pakistan. We want to send a message to them that the defence of Pakistan is uppermost in our minds,” he said describing Pakistan government’s plans to grant greater market access to Indian goods as a “conspiracy” to destroy Pakistan’s economy.

The report described “fist-waving speakers” at the rally threatening that “India would be sundered into quarters.”

“The spectacle will send a chill through New Delhi which views Mr. Saeed as public enemy number one, and lay bare the limits of U.S. attempts to pressure or bribe Pakistan into cracking down on militants,” it said.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article2829232.ec