National Security Committee refute ex-PM Sharifs’ remarks on Mumbai attacks

Prime Minister Mr. Sahhid Khaqan Abbasi chaired the 22^nd meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC) held at Prime Minister’s House today. The meeting was attended by the Minister for Defence & Foreign Affairs, Khurram Dastagir Khan, Mr. Miftah Ismail, Minister for Finance, Revenue & Economic Affairs, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Zubair Mahmood Hayat, Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Jawed Bajwa, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan, Director General ISI Lt Gen Naveed Mukhtar, National Security Adviser Lt Gen (R) Nasser Khan Janjua and senior civil and military officials.

The meeting reviewed the recent statement in the context of Mumbai attacks, as it appeared in the Daily Dawn of 12^th May, 2018, and unanimously termed this statement as incorrect and misleading. The participants observed that it was very unfortunate that the opinion arising out of either misconceptions or grievances was being presented in disregard of concrete facts and realities. The participants unanimously rejected the allegations and condemned the fallacious assertions.

The meeting recalled that it was not Pakistan, but India that has delayed the finalization of the case. Besides many other refusals during the investigation, the denial of access to the principal accused, Ajmal Qasab, and his extraordinarily hurried execution became the core impediment in the finalization of the trial. At the same time Pakistan continues to wait for cooperation from India on the infamous Khulbhushan Jadav and Samhota Express episodes.

The NSC resolved that Pakistan shall continue to play its role in fighting the war against terrorism at all fronts.