March 18, 2002	Monday	Muharram 3, 1423

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LAHORE, March 17: Foreign Minister Abdul Sattar said here on Sunday the United States might ask for the extradition of Ahmad Omar Shaikh in the Daniel Pearl case also but, he pointed out, his presence in Pakistan was necessary for thorough investigations into the incident.

He was replying to questions by reporters at the Institute of Basic Adult Development and Training (Ibadat), St Thomas Centre, Raiwind Road.

The minister condemned the attack on an Islamabad Church earlier in the day. But when asked about any Indian involvement in it he said: “Finger should not be pointed at anyone without proof.”

Replying to the question about chances of Shaikh’s extradition to the US, he said the government had made a decision, in principle, that “we will ourselves investigate the murder of Daniel Pearl with the cooperation of our friends.” Pakistan was seeking the help of the FBI for the purpose, he added.

Sattar said the US had earlier requested for Shaikh’s extradition in another case. “Now we understand that it will also seek his extradition in the Pearl case. In principle, Pakistan is not opposed to extraditions of criminals to the countries with which it has such agreements,” he said.

But, he clarified, Shaikh’s presence in Pakistan was necessary for thorough investigations in the Pearl case.

Replying to the question about the terrorism in an Islamabad church, he said it was the manifestation of extremism and irrationality on the part of some mysterious and senseless groups.

The foreign minister said there was nothing worse than the attacks on places of worship. Those involved in the attacks did not reflect the society where people belonging to all religions and sects, had no hatred towards each other.

He said Pakistan was pursuing an open peace policy and would try its best to deescalate tension on borders.

The foreign minister said he was not going to join the UN but would attend a meeting of its human rights commission later this month.

Talking to the management of the St Thomas Centre and some bishops, he said there was no information of the involvement of the banned groups in the terrorist acts like the attack on the Islamabad church.

Later, speaking at the function, he said Pakistan’s decision to join the international coalition against terrorism had strengthened its hands as did those of several other Muslim states.

Appreciating the services of Ibadat, he said education was fundamental for developing faculties and potential of human beings. He said over the decades, the Christian community had made a valuable contribution to the promotion of education and health.

Earlier, the foreign minister distributed certificates among the graduates of Ibadat, whose Chairman Bishop Azad Marshall, Director Abdul Nasir Samuel and Bishop of Sialkot Samuel Pervez, also spoke on the occasion. Former federal minister Derek Cyprian and Dr Naseem Hasan Shah were also present.