The Pakistani Judicial Commission’s visit to India in connection with the Mumbai attacks case is likely to be delayed as an anti-terrorism court on Saturday sought an assurance that members of the panel will be allowed to cross-examine key Indian witnesses.
Prosecutors informed the court conducting trial of seven suspects charged with involvement in the Mumbai attack that they would provide an undertaking from the Indian government that the panel will have the power of cross-examination.
Chief prosecutor Chaudhry Zulifqar Ali told Judge Chaudhry Habibur Rehman that Pakistani authorities were awaiting India’s formal response on the issue.
The Pakistani commission is set to make a second visit to Mumbai to record statements of four witnesses because the anti-terrorism court rejected a report submitted after its first visit on the ground that the panel was not allowed to conduct any cross-examination.
Zulfiqar Ali argued during Saturday’s hearing that the Indian government had stated it would allow cross-examination of witnesses.
He further said a previous agreement that barred cross-examination would not have any bearing on the judicial commission’s second visit.
