Pakistani government seeks Mumbai attacker Kasab's arrest

Islamabad, March 13 : The Pakistani government, which has steadfastly refused Indian demands for action against Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) founder Hafiz Saeed, who New Delhi says masterminded the 26/11 attacks, has now sought the arrest of Ajmal Amir Kasab, the lone gunman captured alive during the carnage and who is being tried in a Mumbai court.

The Pakistani government's request was made in an application filed Saturday in an Anti-Terrorism Court in adjacent Rawalpindi, where an in-camera trial is underway of LeT commander Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi and five others in connection with the Mumbai attacks.

"Government has requested the court to issue arrest warrants of prime accused in Mumbai attack case Ajmal Kasab so that he may be produced in court in line with rules and regulations," Online news agency reported.

Issuing notice on the government application, the court fixed March 20 as the next date of hearing.

The Rawalpindi bench of the Lahore High Court has previously ruled that Kasab's confessional statement to the Mumbai police cannot be admitted as evidence in a Pakistani court.

India has repeatedly said it has provided enough evidence of Hafiz Saeed's alleged involvement in the Mumbai attacks for Pakistan to act against him. Pakistan says not enough evidence has been provided.