Pak must take 26/11 perpetrators to task for talks with India to continue: Editorial

ISLAMABAD - A remark over Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operative David Coleman Headley’s confession and the alleged involvement of the ISI in the 26/11 attacks infuriated Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi during the joint press conference with his Indian counterpart S M Krishna.

Qureshi was engraged to such an extent that he went on to compare Indian Home Secretary G K Pillai with Jamaat-ud-Daawa (JuD) chief Hafeez Mohammed Saeed.

An editorial in one of Pakistan’s leading English dailies also opined that Islamabad must carry out a thorough investigation and if the ‘accusation’ is found to be true, the perpetrators must be taken to task.

Referring to Krishna’s statement that Pakistan has not provided even a ’shred of evidence’ over India’s alleged involvement in Balochistan insurgency, the editorial said the Indian Minister’s clear stand should “settle the issue once and for all.”

“Both sides should refrain from political point scoring,” it stated.

The opinion piece also blasted the Qureshi for taunting his Indian counterpart while he was still present in the country.

“Mr. Qureshi’s remarks about Mr. Krishna constantly taking calls from Delhi during the meeting were regrettable,” it said.

Later, while denying receiving directions from New Delhi, Krishna had described Qureshi’s comments as “an extraordinary statement”.

The editorial stated that irresponsible statements made by Pakistan after the talks have dented all the hard work, and also expressed the hope that both the neighbours would continue talking.

“It will now require even more effort and diplomacy in order to sustain the dialogue process. It is hoped that this temporary hiccup would not let the process be derailed and better sense would prevail after a cooling off period,” it concluded. (ANI)