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Two days after New Delhi's demarche (protest note) demanding the handing over of 20 fugitives, Zardari made known Pakistan's reluctance to part with them.
"If we had proof, we would try them in our courts. We would try them in our land and we would sentence them," he said appearing on "Larry King Live" programme on CNN last night.
India's list of 20 most wanted criminals given to Pakistan included underworld don Dawood Ibrahim and Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar.
India is awaiting Pakistan's response before deciding on the options it could exercise. New Delhi's outrage was voiced by External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee who said the country has every right to protect its territorial integrity and will take "appropriate action" as it feels necessary to deal with the terror strikes emanating from Pakistan.
The minister also did not rule out military strikes against terror camps in Pakistan.
Zardari said that he also doubted India's claim that the sole surviving gunman, who was captured by Indian security forces, was a Pakistani national.
"We have not been given any tangible proof to say that he is definitely a Pakistani. I very much doubt that he's a Pakistani," he said.
Zardari denied Pakistan's involvement in the attacks, saying the terror strikes were executed by the "Stateless actors" who wanted to hold the "entire world hostage."
"These (terrorists) are stateless actors who have been operating throughout the region. They include gunmen and the planners and are holding the entire world hostage," he said.
"State of Pakistan is not responsible for the attacks in Mumbai... even the White House and the US intelligence agency CIA have said so," he said.
The President ruled out any possibility of Pakistan and India going to war, saying "democracies do not go to war".
The three wars, India and Pakistan have fought, took place
during dictatorships in Pakistan, he said.
Zardari said this is time to come together, do a joint investigation and look at the problem in the larger context.
"The threat is in the region and just not to Bombay or to India. The threat (also is) to the State of Pakistan. There's a threat to Afghanistan, It's a threat throughout region. So that would be counterproductive," he added.
"I'm a victim. The state of Pakistan is a victim. We are the victims of this war, and I am sorry for the Indians, and I feel sorry for them. I've seen this pain. I feel this pain every time I see my children. I can see it in their eyes.
This pain lives with me because of my wife and what we are going through in Pakistan," he said.
Asked whether Lashkar-e-Taiba was involved in the attacks, he replied that it is a banned organisation around the world. "If indeed they are involved, we would not know."
These are the people who operate outside the system like al-Qaeda but Pakistan has offered full cooperation to India in investigating the incident and "We intend to do so."
"We cannot rule anything out at the moment," he said when asked whether al-Qaeda might be involved. But it is too premature to reach any conclusion.
Zardari denied Pakistan's involvement in the attacks, saying the terror strikes were executed by the "Stateless actors" who wanted to hold the "entire world hostage."
"These (terrorists) are stateless actors who have been operating throughout the region. They include gunmen and the planners and are holding the entire world hostage," he said.
"State of Pakistan is not responsible for the attacks in Mumbai... even the White House and the US intelligence agency CIA have said so," he said.
The President ruled out any possibility of Pakistan and India going to war, saying "democracies do not go to war".
The three wars, India and Pakistan have fought, took place
during dictatorships in Pakistan, he said.
Zardari said this is time to come together, do a joint investigation and look at the problem in the larger context.
"The threat is in the region and just not to Bombay or to India. The threat (also is) to the State of Pakistan. There's a threat to Afghanistan, It's a threat throughout region. So that would be counterproductive," he added.
"I'm a victim. The state of Pakistan is a victim. We are the victims of this war, and I am sorry for the Indians, and I feel sorry for them. I've seen this pain. I feel this pain every time I see my children. I can see it in their eyes.
This pain lives with me because of my wife and what we are going through in Pakistan," he said.
Asked whether Lashkar-e-Taiba was involved in the attacks, he replied that it is a banned organisation around the world. "If indeed they are involved, we would not know."
These are the people who operate outside the system like al-Qaeda but Pakistan has offered full cooperation to India in investigating the incident and "We intend to do so."
"We cannot rule anything out at the moment," he said when asked whether al-Qaeda might be involved. But it is too premature to reach any conclusion.
Take action against Hafiz, Masood: India tells Pak
India has asked Pakistan to take strict action against Lashker-e-Taiba founder Hafiz Mohammed Saeed, underworld dons Dawood Ibrahim and Tiger Memon and terror leader Maulana Masood Azhar, who are named in a list of 20 wanted terrorists handed over to Islamabad by New Delhi.
The list of fugitives was discussed at a meeting of political leaders chaired in New Delhi on Tuesday last night by Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani to evolve national consensus on a course of action to deal with tensions with India in the wake of the terror attacks in Mumbai.
Former federal minister and Awami Muslim League leader Sheikh Rashid Ahmed told reporters after the meeting that the names of Dawood Ibrahim, Masood Azhar and Tiger Memon figured in the list. However, he did not say what course of action the meeting had suggested on India's demand to hand over the 20 wanted men.
Indian security officials have linked the Lashker-e-Taiba to the Mumbai attacks. Hours before the attacks, India has suggested during the talks between the home secretaries of the two countries in Islamabad that they should priorities action against persons for whom the Interpol had issued Red Corner Notices.
A Red Corner notice has been issued for Dawood Ibrahim, the alleged mastermind of the 1993 bombings in Mumbai that killed nearly 260 people.
Hafiz Saeed, an engineer-turned-militant ideologue, formed the Jamat-ud-Dawah after Pakistan banned the Lashker-e-Taiba. The Jamat has its headquarters at Muridke near Lahore and has stepped up its activities since Pervez Musharraf stepped down as President.
Masood Azhar, a Pakistani national, formed the Jaish-e-Mohammed after he was freed by India in exchange for passengers of an Indian Airlines flight hijacked from Kathmandu to Kandahar in 1999. Recent reports have suggested that the Jaish has stepped up its activities in Bahawalpur, where its headquarters are located.
Prime Minister Gilani has said that his government will consider taking action against Hafiz Saeed if evidence is provided against him. "Let the proof come and we'll look into it," he told a TV channel.
Asked if it would be a "goodwill gesture" if the Pakistan government arrested Hafiz Saeed, he replied: "We have assured full cooperation. Therefore the cabinet has decided for cooperation with India and a probe."
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It is clear, Mumbai attacks were staged by Hindu fundamentalists and terrorists. India has over 100 independence movements including the Khalistan Movement organised by people that could not afford to live under hindu influenece expecially those of hindu terrorists. India and Pakistan should get together and remove these fanatics from India if they want the peace in region otherwise these fundamentalist elements within RAW which is now known as worlds most rotting intelligence agenecy both in terms of ability and concsience would be used by the same fundamentalists to carry out attacks on Indian Soil. Wakeup India and get your self out of cricket and bollytwood and see the reality and it would not be far from home
A young lady who approached for some Marriage Counselling told me she had approached her Mother-in-law complaining her Son was not treating her well. Mother-in-laws response " Oh he is not treating you well for last for only 7 months; my husband has been ill-treating me for more than 10 years" How does this response help the young newly married lady ??
Proves crystal clear that Pakistan Govt supports Terrorism!! Also proves that the Central Govt of India too supporting Terrorism by not attacking those bases, even after knowing that the Govt of the enemy country is supporting the cause of the damage.
This guy zardari is an idiot
High time to declare pakistan as a terrorist state. Refusal to deal with or trying to create legal, formal process around the 20 terrorist list is enough evidence to have it declared a state sponsering terrorism. India should work with international community to get this done. 70% of the energy will be removed from pakistan if it is declared a terrorist state, it would become a sitting duck to be wiped out then.
To my beloved Indians! When ever there is war or bombardments 99.9 percent innocent peace loving, poor and daily bread earners become victims. If you want to see the reality go and see in Iraq and Afghanistan with your own eyes. When people like Gen. Ziaul Huq, Gen. Parwez Musharraf and now Zardari will be installed into power the Country will become or continue to be a haven of criminals and terrorists. The Indian and Pakistani rulers have a long history of making alliance with religious, ethnic, criminal and political terrorist groups to perpetuate their reign of Corruption, loot and plunder. They been patronizing and giving blank checks to them in their selfish interest. If these religious extremists, terrorists, criminals and marauders of peace
Pakistani response is disappointing specially considering the promise the new democratic dispensation in Pakistan. However, it seems the new regime is reverting back to good old ways under pressure from the forces inimical to India. MEA has been too quick to forbear Indian military response which to some extent ameliorates the pressure on Pakistan. Now India, specially the gutless congress government known to be soft on terror, has to walk the talk or crumble under USA pressure inviting more future strikes and loss of Indian lives and credibility of the great Indian Nation. If that happens, India would exhibit once more, it is a spineless super power thanks to our idiotic government. Time India immediately starts bombing some of the identified training centers on POK just to prove it's seriousness, the world will understand if not " hell with it" for India must learn protects it's citizens. Righteousness does not play well with Pakistan but clear and present danger will.
Narendra Modi is the answer to this problem. Let a follower of Sardar Patel lead this nation to wipe out this 'Bug' of terrorist which now has become a monster. We need leaders who are ready to 'Dare'. We are fighting against people who live, act with their life in hands -are ready to die; to counter we need the same attitude - nothing else works. The moment we show readiness to fight-die -mark it things will change. 'Will' is what is needed.
Did I hear Zardari said he'll cooperate fully with India?Now, he refuses to hand over confirmed terrorists to India. ONE HAS TO HAVE HOLE IN HIS HEAD TO BELIEVE HIM.
Hear me out--- HEAR ME OUT, fellows:>>>>When a snake keeper gets bitten by his own snakes-- why feel sorry for him-- it's his own doing. But he has no right to loosen the cobras on his neighbors. Now if this snake keeper don't want to be responsible for his actions of loosening the snakes on his neighbors-- Then,---SURE THE NEIGHBORS HAVE ALL THE RIGHTS TO CHASE THE SNAKES (Terrorists)
the only solution is to end the terrorisum in india is unity in public of all cities of india if in case they see or hear anything report it to the athourity immediately as known that indian public are very intelligent and brave if they really what to stop this they have to act accordingly after all its the innocent public which suffers not the politicans its time for action now we have to stand together and end this terrorisum once and for all at least in india
Prolitics works on promises.Promises say that X will be done, Y will be done.But when you ask when, they have several answers to delay it. They know, procrastinating will reduce peoples anger with time.There is only one solution.So if we want our Country to be good. Become good, spread goodness.Don't take bribe, don't give bribe, live a diciplined life with simplicity and teach others the same. Don't do injustise to anyone and don't tolerate injustise done to anyone.Let me follow this, if not 100%, but to some extent. Some others will learn from me.I will teach this to some who listens.Lets spread the message of being Good. Hopefully tomorrow we will have a better future.Thanks,Pramod.
From Jinnah to Zardari every one is the chip of the same block showing enemity with India always. No from Zardari to hand over twenty terrorists who had masterminded the attacks in Indian cities was already expected. The US President-elect Barack Obama on the recent Mumbai attacks by the Pakistani terrorists aided by the ISI and the terrorists outfits, that each country had a sovereign right to self-defence and to actions that were in the interests of its security. Mr Obama has given a hint based on the American strategy adopted on 9/11. But to advance this strategy the need of the hour is to have the complete solidarity amongst the political parties to meet the challenge of terror that never before has India suffered such horrendous brutality whose magnitude is matched by the scale of terror, shock and outrage it has unleashed — not only in Mumbai but across the country since for the first time, we are witnessing not serial bombings or
Pakis are deliberately provoking us , but please, let us not have a War on this issue. By going for a War, we shall do exactly what the terrorists want us to do, and both the poor countries will become more poor.
No War ! Agreed... BUT India must go after the snakes (Terrorists) chase them and destroy them and their holes. Pakis should have objection to that? Right?
Now, let us not ovrreact to this. Let us analyse the thing coolly and decide the series of steps which will have to be taken. Nothing is going to be gained by getting hysterical on this.
Pakistan should please hand over the terrorists to India. If Pakistan refuse to handover, then not only India, but the rest of the world should take stern measures on Pakistan.Pakistan cannot be trusted, because the next attack could be a nuclear attack which would or could be planned in Pakistan as well.
WE SHOULD ATTACK PAKISTAN. MYSELF WILL BE VERY MUCH HAPPY IF THE NAME OF PAKISTAN WILL FINISH FROM WORLD MAP. BECAUSE THEY ALWAYS KILL INNOCENT PEOPLE IN THE WORLD. ALL THE TERRIORIST ARE IN PAKISTAN...... INDIA ASKED THEM TO HANDOVER 20 TERRORIST BUT THEY REFUSED. WHY ?
If pakistan does not handover reffered 20 terrorist to india , first action should be taken by USA to stop feeding
what if pakitan also gives a list of indians wanted in pakistan ?will we be busy exchanging the list or we do something out of the box which we have not done in the past ?
So called intellectual people, so called peace loving people, so called secular people, believe you are seeing these developments. Who is the culprit, who torturing the world, who is killing peace? it is bloody Pakistan and so called islamic extremist, not Indians or Hindus. Stop behaving like sons and daughters of Osama bin laden.
well terror does not have any religion or caste or color or ethnicity.The moment we attach terror with religion,caste,ethnicity,color we are basically letting terrorists win the battle.Secondly let us not get into hindu,muslim,sikh,christian things when we fight terror we have to be united.By the way the major terror activities done by hindus like Mahatma gandhi was killed by hindu,Indira gandhi was killed by a sikh,3000 sikhs were killed by hindus in 1984 riots,Rajiv gandhi was killed by Hindus,Babri mosque was demolished by hindus,Gujrat pogrom was done by hindus,Maosist are hindus,Naxals are hindus,Bodos ,Ulfa,sadhvi pragya,col purohit are hindus....so let us not get into communal debateFight terror together of any hue or kind else terror will win.Thanx
This is the best cooperation " NO" which you can accept from our neighbours. Can we trust them for minute.
well not only provide list of names but also hard evidence against them and also who is preventing india to move to international court of justice with all those against evidenes including Mumbai Incident.By the way when masood azher and others were in indian cusody we set them free escorting to kandhar and now we r expecting pakistan to give those same people set free by us..shame on us .Plz stop living in fools paradise.Thanx
hiwell realistically frankly speaking the biggest gainer of the Mumbai incident is turned out to be the usa and other western nations at the cost of both poor foolish nation called India and pakistan....Both poor nations cant resolve their problems hence both cats are fighting for the cake which is already eaten by monkey( living far away)now both of these poor impoverished nations where people even sell their kidneys to buy food for couple of months will be busy purchasing military arms and ammunitions from western countries to scare each other while people do suicide for want of food.Hope better sense prevail on both of these poor nations where majority lives below poverty line , where the basic amenities of life is not available to most of its citizens. Thanx
I see a lot of sense in your reasoning. More business for US Economy which is seeing a slow down....
well said i fully agree with you.
AAKARMAN ON POK - THIS IS THE BEST OPPORTUNITY.This type we can show and solve both problem Kashmir and terrorist, Now this is very good opportunity, we have support of full world and Pakistan economy is also very week this time. This OPPORTUNITY will never come again.Did you seen Zardari words? The President ruled out any possibility of Pakistan and India going to war, saying "democracies do not go to war". We have to show him that we can do anything to save India and to save democracy. R u agrees Indians?INDIAN
Don't ever think that.We thought of a opportunity for bangladesh in 1971 but they have not joined us even they are becoming one more enemy of us.We can't won the kashmirirs hearts by arms but by only letting them decide there fate with plebescite.
By refusing to hand over top terrorists,Pakistan has yrt again proven, that it is still playing a double game with the international community.One side, Pakistan claims to be an ally in the war on terrorism, and on the second side, Pakistan is protecting and harbouring terrorists.Just like India, America and the rest of the world is fed up of Pakistan, because its citizen are involved in several terrorist incidents around the world.
Pakistan's claim that the Terrorists those attacked Mumbai are not Pakistani nationals is nothing short of a joke. What kind of proof
I also want to know what exactly India wants to do if Pak hands over these 20 men. One gangster Abu Salem was caught more than a year ago - he has no yet been brought to trial. One person who was brought to trial and convicted - Afzal Guru - is still waiting in suspended animation for his punishment. As long as the government is afraid to do anything that might annoy the Islamists, nothing will change - they cant or wont punish even those that are custody, so why bother getting more people into our jails?Also, how can Pak try these 20 people in their own court when the crime was not committed in Pak? Obviously there is no provision in the law or constitution of any country to try people who have committed illegal acts in some other country - they have to be extradited. So Mr Zardari has shown once again how ignorant he is. Let him put all his energy in catching the people who killed his wife - let India deal with people who are accused of planning crimes in India.