Pakistan government can set up a commission to be sent to India to record the statements of key witnesses in the 2008 Mumbai attack case, an anti-terrorism court has ruled.
"Now the government of Pakistan will constitute the commission in the light of the court's order. The government will also speak to India and finalise modalities in this regard," prosecutor Chaudhry Zulifqar, who had filed the application, told the media.
The order for the setting up of the commission was given by Judge Shahid Rafique. Zulifqar said the visit of a Pakistani commission to India was necessary to make a headway in the trial of seven accused including LeT commander Zakiaur Rehman being held in Pakistan.
The prosecution had informed the court that it wanted to record over 20 witnesses in India but the defence was of the view that it would be a ‘futile’ activity, having no impact on the case here.
The court has adjourned the case hearing, being held at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi owing to security issue, till September 10. The prosecution had earlier informed the court that the Indian government had agreed in principle to allow the Pakistani commission to interview four persons, two doctors, a magistrate who had recorded the confessional statement of Ajmal Kasab, the lone surviving attacker, and the police officer who led the investigation into the Mumbai incident.
Incidentally, the trial had been marred by repeated delays. Rafique is the fifth judge to hear the case since proceedings began in early 2009.