The Press Trust of India quoted Mr Shinde as saying the Indian government hoped to soon get from Pakistan voice samples of the alleged handlers of the attackers.— File Photo by Reuters

NEW DELHI: India’s Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde said on Saturday he had asked his Pakistani counterpart Rehman Malik to provide New Delhi with the voice samples of Mumbai terror suspects, Press Trust of India said.

The agency quoted Mr Shinde as saying the Indian government hoped to soon get from Pakistan voice samples of the alleged handlers of the attackers.

“We are hopeful we will get the samples. They (Pakistan) will consult their legal department and may come to us with something. We will also consult our legal department,” he said.

Asked if inviting the Pakistani cricket team to play in India was not a climbdown as Islamabad had not brought to justice the plotters of the Mumbai attacks, Indian Home Secretary R.K. Singh said: “The Pakistan government has informed it has requested the Rawalpindi court to hold day-to-day trial against the seven prime accused (including Lashkar-e-Taiba commander Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi).”

Sources told PTI that Pakistan had affirmed it was framing a new law under which voice samples of an accused could be taken legally and handed over to another country.

India has also asked Pakistan to record the voice samples of the 26/11 handlers through other means and match it with the samples given by India.

Mr Singh said India had also asked Pakistan to take action against the “ring leaders” of the 26/11 attacks. “We have told Pakistan there are some ring leaders who should be put on trial. There is no climbdown in our position.”

Mr Singh said the decision to revive bilateral cricket was taken by the external affairs ministry and the home ministry would ensure “foolproof security” for the visitors.

The dates for Mr Malik’s proposed visit to India for putting the liberalised visa agreement into effect had not been finalised, he said.

Opinion

Editorial

‘Source of terror’
Updated 29 Mar, 2024

‘Source of terror’

It is clear that going after militant groups inside Afghanistan unilaterally presents its own set of difficulties.
Chipping in
29 Mar, 2024

Chipping in

FEDERAL infrastructure development schemes are located in the provinces. Most such projects — for instance,...
Toxic emitters
29 Mar, 2024

Toxic emitters

IT is concerning to note that dozens of industries have been violating environmental laws in and around Islamabad....
Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...