The suspects include the alleged mastermind of the attack on India’s financial capital, Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, and Lashkar-e-Taiba operative Zarar Shah.
The trial has almost stalled as New Delhi has refused to give the court access to lone surviving attacker Ajmal Kasab - who is on death row in India - and Indian national Fahim Ansari, a conspirator. An Anti-Terrorism Court in Rawalpindi indicted the seven men on the eve of the first anniversary of the attack, which ended a fragile peace process with Pakistan. Pakistani officials have since implied that the trial cannot proceed unless Kasab, who was sentenced to death in Mumbai in May, is handed over as a witness.
Kasab, one of 10 gunmen who went on the three-day rampage through Mumbai, was convicted on March 31 on charges including murder and waging war on India.
During the telephone conversation with his Indian counterpart Interior Minister Rehman Malik discussed with him formation of a commission, which would visit India to record statements of Magistrate and a police officer.
Both the ministers discussed matter related to the security issues and ongoing trial of Mumbai attacks. They also discussed David Coleman Headley’s alleged involvement in the deadly attacks.
After the recent telephoning conversation with his Indian counterpart and holding a meeting with Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan Sharat Sabharwal- who called on him at Interior Ministry on Saturday, Rehman Malik while talking to media representatives said that in his telephonic conversation with P Chidambaram, he underlined the importance of the two Indian prosecution witnesses in Pakistani court to carry the trial process forward.
He said that Pakistan’s Anti-Terrorism Court conducting the trial was yet to decide on Indian proposal that the witness should testify via-video conferencing adding that this was not allowed under Pakistani laws.