ISLAMABAD, May 14: : Urging Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi to brief the parliament after the National Security Committee (NSC), called to discuss former prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s statement on the Mumbai attacks, opposition leader Khursheed Shah said that it was the government’s responsibility to deal with the fallout emanating from the former premier’s statement.
Shah said he could not attend the NSC meeting as he was unaware of it until Monday morning. “I had reached Islamabad late in the night so I found that I was called to attend the meeting it in the morning.”
He further added that since he was part of the opposition and Nawaz belonged to the ruling party also swayed his decision.
Reflecting on the former premier’s comments, the senior Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader stressed that words can be misinterpreted, hence, those on important posts should speak carefully. “One should be cautious while making such statements given the circumstances.” Senior PPP leader Rehman Malik urged Nawaz to retract his statement. Speaking to the media, the former interior minister said Nawaz had implicated Pakistan through his statement on the Mumbai attacks. “I categorically deny our institutions involvement in it.” Malik claimed that Ajmal Kasab was recruited by India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) and added that India had denied Pakistan access to Kasab for investigations. “They did not give us access to the evidence either.” The PPP leader said Nawaz could be called at the United Nations due to his statement. He refuted that the delay in trial was due to Pakistan. Malik also encouraged Nawaz to apologise.-Agencies
