THE VIEWS

 

 

ABDUL BASIT,
Spokesperson, Foreign Office, Pakistan

ON RESUMPTION OF TALKS
It is a welcome step. However we do not want photo-ops only. We met and both the parties articulated their positions. India links the talks with action taken in the Mumbai attack case, while we think that the composite dialogue must continue. In the run-up to Bhutan, foreign secretaries should have met but India unfortunately links this to Mumbai attacks trial. We are not against meeting. We would love to have the Indian foreign secretary here. However, if we meet to reiterate our position, then that would be a waste of time. We want these meetings to produce something concrete.

ON MUMBAI ATTACKS TRIAL
The trial is progressing. We have arrested seven accused. Our intelligence agencies did manage to fill the gap in evidence that was provided by India. The culprits will be brought to book. But to link it with talks is not done. India took more than a year to bring one terrorist to book. How can it expect us to do the same with seven accused in less time?

ON TERROR CAMPS
Lashkar-e-Taiba is a banned organisation. When you say dismantle the terror camps, what do you mean? I have been reading in Indian newspapers that there are umpteen terror camps. Where are they? Give us the proof. Can you kindly give us the coordinates so that we can act? Similarly, before the Mumbai attacks India was claiming that it had information that such and such attacks are being planned. We requested through the formal channel for information. But it never came. We are also battling terror. You had one Mumbai but we had many.

ON KASHMIR, SIACHEN AND SIR CREEK
We have come a long way since 2004. A number of CBMs have been implemented. The composite dialogue has helped. The ceasefire has been holding. That’s the greatest achievement. Enormous progress has been made on Siachen and Sir Creek. We believe the dialogue will help it take further. Kashmir struggle is a legitimate struggle and there is no two ways about it. It has been recognised through the UN resolution. If you close your eyes the problems won’t disappear. SHAHBAZ BHATTI,
Minister for Minorities, Pakistan

ON BEING MINORITY IN PAKISTAN
The government believes in social justice, equality and humanity. It wants to offer democratic choice to all. We did not have a democratic regime for many years and therefore we had problems. The present government believes in the concept of Islam that guarantees the rights of the minorities. The present government has taken steps that is not only historic but ensures protection of minorities. For the first time, this ministry has been created separate from the ministry of religious affairs. For the first time, two members of the Hindu community in the National Assembly have won on the general seats.

ON BLASPHEMY LAW AND LEGISLATIONS
We are changing laws to ensure proper registration of marriages for Hindus and Christians. The blasphemy law is being reviewed. The changes will ensure it is not be misused to harass minorities. We are also bringing in a minority protection bill. We are consulting political parties and community leaders for inputs. In the blasphemy law, we have decided that before the registration of FIR, there will be a thorough inquiry. Also, if somebody levels a false accusation, the complainant will be charged with perjury.

ON MINORITIES BEING TARGETED BY TALIBAN
The atrocities on minority communities should not be taken in isolation. This is a mindset we are fighting against. This mindset has killed more fellow Muslims than minorities. Government has taken action against such people. We are sorry one of our Sikh brothers got killed, but we managed to free several of them.

ON INNOVATIVE STEPS TAKEN BY THE MINISTRY
We have launched a campaign for interfaith harmony. It is one of its kinds in the world. We have planned to establish Interfaith Harmony Committee in all the 127 districts of the country. Each committee will comprise 24 members, 12 each from Muslim and non-Muslim community. We are also planning to launch a 24 hours helpline for minorities. REHMAN MALIK,
Interior Minister, Pakistan

ON MUMBAI ATTACK
We have always condemned such attacks and we condemn it once again. Within hours, our Prime Minster and the President called Delhi and assured full support to India. We ordered an investigation even before India gave its first dossier. Seven accused are under trial currently while more that 16 have been put on the absconding list. However, as an independent judiciary, it has its own ways. But we are positive that the trial will be finished in coming months.

ON CUSTODY OF AJMAL KASAB
The process is very simple. When the conspiracy is made somewhere, then the culprit should be tried there too. So, if the trial of Kasab is over, we will like him to be tried here too. We can discuss it later. The only thing is that we want India to talk to us on a common level. Not breathing down our neck.

ON INTRICACIES OF THE TRIAL We have not yet been provided with the Kasab’s statement. It is not good for us and it is not good for India. There is constant pressure on us to arrest Hafiz Saeed. But we have not yet received proof. We have just been offered allegations. We arrested him but he was released by the court because we were not provided with the info. There was some information on Lakhvi but we filled the gap. Our intelligence agency managed to track the server to Russia, Kuwait and elsewhere. ON DAVID HEADLEY
No information has been shared with us. Since it is claimed that he hatched the plan here, we need to receive information. We will also love to investigate him. He is subjected to US law and India is yet to receive access. If we have any information we will provide it.

ON HAFIZ SAEED’S HATE SPEECH
We cannot stop anybody from making speeches. If you start putting people behind bars for making hate speech, half of India and half of Pakistan will be behind bars. Under the anti-terror act of Pakistan if anybody instigates terror he can be put behind bars.

ON HIS NAME APPEARING IN THE BENAZIR BHUTTO ASSASSINATION REPORT
Since I am the interior minister, I am in the line of fire. I was not the security in charge. I was merely the security advisor. I was against the rally there but the local cadres said that it will help. It was said that I ran away when the blast happened. I only moved when the van carrying Benazir Bhutto moved. This has been substantiated in the affidavit filed by the driver of my vehicle. The upstarts of the politics want to gain fame on my cost. I just laugh it off. LT GEN. ATHAR ABBAS,
Director General, ISPR

ON ARMY ACTION IN FATA
In is one of the unique operations of its kind. The area was out of the control of the civil administration and Tahreek e Taliban had taken over. We started the campaign in 2008 but then the elections came and it was decided that the operation will be withdrawn. We also decided to allow the local laws to operate but the terrorists did not stop at that. When they kept on with their terror means even after we offered tribals their own law to operate, this led to the loss of support for the terrorists. Therefore when we started the operation again, we had the full support of the locals. We took a fight in the region that had the most unfriendly terrains but our army overcame all the obstacles and freed the area. Presently we have freed Swat and the reconstruction work is going on. Then it will be transferred to the civil administration. In FATA, we have sanitized the several agencies and the process of consolidation is going on. The focus is entirely on other areas at the present juncture.

ON HUMAN CASUALTY
It was a very different kind of fight and the casualties, therefore, were bound to be high. At the peak of the operation in 2009, we had an average of ten casualties each day. However, we are happy that the motive of the operation has been achieved. Our efforts have been appreciated by people from all over the world.

ON ACTION AGAINST LASHKAR-E-TAIBA
Until now we have been focused largely on the western front. Every country and its army have a priority and we have our priorities as well. We are fully involved in FATA and want to drive the militants out from the tribal areas. Lashkar is a banned organisation and it is not operating in Pakistani territory. It might be behind activities in Kashmir but we are not aware of that.