ISLAMABAD:
Terming India’s reaction to IHC’s ruling over Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi detention ‘irrational’, Adviser on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz on Sunday said he hopes the case will not have any affect on the proposed talks between Islamabad and New Delhi, according to sources.
India accuses Lakhvi, a senior figure of the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba, of being involved in planning, financing and executing the Mumbai attacks in 2008, which killed over 160 people.
Responding to Indian allegations that Pakistan is not doing enough to ensure Lakhvi remains behind the bars, Aziz said Pakistan’s judiciary is free and works independently.
“Pakistan is waiting for an invitation from the Indian side so our foreign secretary can visit India to formally resume the dialogue process,” he added.
On the water dispute between Pakistan and India, the adviser said there is a mechanism under the Indus-Water Treaty to settle the water dispute between the two countries.
“Pakistan has asked India for details regarding construction of new dams to determine if the treaty was violated; in case of any dispute, Pakistan could take up the matter to arbitrator or to the international courts,” he explained.
