Rehman-Malik-670
Interior Minister Rehman Mailk speaks to the media upon his arrival at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport in New Delhi, India, Friday, Dec. 14, 2012. — Photo by AP

NEW DELHI: The India-Pakistan “journey to peace” is progressing “very well”, Interior Minister Rehman Malik said here on Friday.

Speaking to the media soon after his arrival on a three-day visit, Mr Malik also promised to arrest Mumbai terror attack suspect Hafiz Saeed if New Delhi provided credible evidence about his involvement.

Mr Malik recalled how the India-Pakistan relationship had soured in the immediate aftermath of the Mumbai terror attack that was blamed on Pakistani terrorists.

Asked about Indian demands for Hafiz Saeed’s arrest and deportation, he said: “Just a statement from (Ajmal) Kasab is not enough.”

“We have to follow the law of the land. And of course (satisfy) the court... There has been a lot of propaganda about Hafiz Saeed.

“I assure you that we are still investigating the (Indian) evidence. And if that evidence can stand the test of courts of international standards, I will order his arrest even before returning home.”

“We have no love lost for Hafiz Saeed,” he added. “Our intentions are clear. Whoever does a crime, should be punished. I come with a message of love and peace from the people of Pakistan,” he said.

Mr Malik said Pakistan had always condemned terrorism. “We have lost 40,000 innocent people (to terrorism), 42,000 have become handicapped.”

“Pakistan and India have to be friends,” Mr Malik said, adding that this would only be possible when there was deeper people-to-people interaction among the two peoples.

He said because of the meetings between the leaders of India and Pakistan, the “journey to peace is progressing very well”.

“For this, I must give full credit to my leader, President (Asif Ali) Zardari, the prime minister, and equal credit to the Indian prime minister (Manmohan Singh) and (Indian finance minister) P. Chidambaram”.

He said he would discuss with Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde ways to facilitate the entry of Indians and Pakistanis into each other’s territory once the new visa regime became operational.

“When they (Indians) enter Pakistan, they should feel they are coming to their own home,” he said. “Similar should be the case when people of Pakistan enter India.”

“We are all here to take the peace process forward,” he added.

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...