Malik adds sour note to visa pact

"There has been lot of talk about 26/11. We have got calls, letters and information from Indian government regarding this case. It is not that we have not taken any action. We have arrested seven people. Twenty have been declared proclaimed offenders. Our intention is to punish everyone responsible. But the problem is law. The legal process does not see information as evidence. I have brought here and will share with the Indian home minister three court judgments on Hafeez Saeed," he said.

"When Ajmal Kasab was hanged, I was the first one to come on television and say that we respect the judgments of Indian courts. Similarly when the trial is going on in Pakistan, it has to be respected. We have already put the trials on fast track. It is in this connection that a judicial commission from Pakistan is required to come to India. The moment it comes and cross-examines witnesses under CrPC 153, which is mandatory in such trials, I can assure you that we will not leave any stone unturned in bringing the perpetrators of Mumbai attacks to justice," he said.

"And I can assure from the government of Pakistan that the day is not far when we will see convictions. Justice will not only be done but will be seen to be done," he said.

Indian Home minister Sushil Kumar Shinde responded to Malik's comments after apparently being prodded by Home Secretary R K Singh. "I thank you for these assurances right at the outset of the talks. Because in the past such promises have not been kept," Shinde said.

Later, after the bilateral talks, Malik met the sister of Sarabjit Singh, who is in jail in Pakistan after being convicted for a bomb blast there. He invited her and her family to visit Pakistan as his personal guest and assured a long-term visa for them.

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