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Why is Pakistain not trying Mumbai suspects, Obama asks Sharif
[Dawn] US President Barack ObamaRepublicans can come along for the ride, but they've got to sit in the back... has asked Prime Minister  Nawaz Sharif... served two non-consecutive terms as prime minister, heads the Pakistain Moslem League (Nawaz). Noted for his spectacular corruption, the 1998 Pak nuclear test, border war with India, and for being tossed by General Musharraf... why Pakistain had not yet started the trial of suspected Mumbai attackers. The prime minister revealed this while talking to the media before leaving Washington after a four-day visit to the United States. On Wednesday, Mr Sharif had a two-hour long meeting with Mr Obama, which covered all issues of mutual concern. "He (Obama) asked, why the trial of the (Mumbai) terrorist attack in India has not started yet," Mr Sharif said. During the meeting, the US president also raised the issue of Jamaat-ud-Dawa ...the front organization of Lashkar-e-Taiba... , cross-border terrorism and Dr Shakil Afridi, the Pak doctor who helped the CIA track down the late Osama bin Laden ... who was laid out deader than a mackerel, right next to the mackerel... and has been in prison since then. "He (Obama) has raised the issue of (Dr Shakil) Afridi. He spoke about cross-border movement. He also talked about Jamaat-ud-Dawa," the prime minister said, without giving details. "Pakistain has to put its house in order -- we have to do that -- we will fulfill the responsibility entrusted to us by the people of Pakistain," said Mr Sharif while responding to US concern on this issue. "We should have managed our house better -- now the nation is suffering -- we have to pull Pakistain out of the difficult phase -- I feel with a sound policy, support of the media, civil society and the nation, we will be able to steer Pakistain out of troubles." Mr Sharif said he informed Mr Obama that his government was holding a dialogue with the Taliban, a decision backed by all political parties in the country. "Pakistain has taken a conscious decision," he said, adding that he had asked the United States to back Pakistain on this approach. Mr Sharif told news hounds that Pakistain's relationship with India was discussed at length and they also reviewed the Kashmire dispute. But he did not say which aspect of the issue he raised and how Mr Obama responded. The prime minister said he made a strong case for greater Pak trade access to the United States in his meeting with Mr Obama. "I fulfilled my duty to put on table issues of concern to Pakistain ... talked about all those issues that pertain to Pakistain's illusory sovereignty and respect," he said. "Economic and energy cooperation, education, extremism issue, Pakistain, Afghanistan, Pakistain-India relations and the Kashmire dispute, the drone issue and the matter of incarcerated Don't shoot, coppers! I'm comin' out! Pak scientist Dr  Aafia Siddiqui...American-educated Pak cognitive neuroscientist who was convicted of assault with intent to murder her U.S. interrogators in Afghanistan. In September 2010, she was sentenced to 86 years in jug after a three-ring trial. Siddiqui, using the alias Fahrem or Feriel Shahin, was one of six alleged al-Qaeda members who bought $19 million worth of blood diamonds in Liberia immediately prior to 9-11-01. Since her incarceration Paks have taken her to their heart and periodically erupt into demonstrations, while the government tries to find somebody to swap for her... " were the issues he discussed with Mr Obama, the prime minister said. "We are trying to enforce law -- launched a well thought-out operation in Bloody Karachi ...formerly the capital of Pakistain, now merely its most important port and financial center. It is among the largest cities in the world, with a population of 18 million, most of whom hate each other and many of whom are armed and dangerous... because establishment of peace in Karachi will benefit the entire country -- it will help stimulate economic growth by bringing investment -- we have to address (problems) -- we will not let Pakistain remain like this," he said. "We will fulfil our obligation -- it is doable -- we can make Pakistain much better than what it is today so that coming generations may live a better life -- we want to make Pakistain a model in South Asia." Posted by: Fred 2013-10-26 |
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