Pakistan visit depends on 26/11 probe, PM tells Malik

New Delhi, Dec 16 (IANS) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh told Pakistan Interior Minister Rehman Malik Saturday that his visit to the country was dependent on the progress in bringing to book those responsible for 26/11 Mumbai terror attack.

Asked by Malik during his meeting about his visit to Pakistan, the prime minister said people ask him about progress in Mumbai terror attack investigation in Pakistan.

Malik told mediapersons after the meeting that the prime minister spoke about the need for progress in Mumbai terror cases.

“People ask me about Bombay,” Malik said quoting the prime minister.

Malik reminded the prime minister during their meeting of the long-standing invitation to visit Pakistan and said people in Manmohan Singh’s native Chakwal district in what is now Paksitani Punjab were eager to meet him.

He said the Indian prime minister enjoyed respect globally.

“If he (Manmohan Singh) does not come, people will be disappointed,” Malik said.

Manmohan Singh was born in Gah village in Chakwal in Punjab, now a part of Pakistan.

Malik, who arrived Friday on a three-day visit to the country, said he explained to the prime minister the steps taken to bring to book those involved in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.

India has been pressing Pakistan for action against those involved in Mumbai terror attack of 2008 which killed 166 people.

Sources in the prime minister’s office described the meeting as “a courtesy call” and said it was very short.

They said Manmohan Singh thanked Malik for extending him the invitation of Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari to visit his country.

They said a substantial part of Malik’s visit to India was aimed at meeting Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde and operationalising the liberalised visa agreement.

Malik, who met Shinde Friday and National Security Advisor Shiv Shankar Menon Saturday, said he had good meetings with both of them.

“Overall, very good meetings, very effective message…Whatever trust deficit was there, it was removed,” he said.

He credited both Zardari and Manmohan Singh for giving a push to boost people-to-people ties between two countries.

IANS 2012-12-16 00:32:15