Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has acknowledged that Ajmal Kasab, the terrorist under arrest for the Mumbai attacks last month, is a Pakistani and a first cousin of the ex PM.
"I have checked myself. Our house and village have been cordoned off by the security agencies. His parents are not allowed to meet anybody and haven't been able to watch their favourite soap operas on our neighbour's television. I am surprised that not a single journalist has bothered to come to me for a quote either. I have gone through severe emotional and mental trauma on account of being completely ignored by the world's press," said Sharif in an interview to the Geo News TV channel.
"The people and media should be allowed to meet Kasab's parents (his aunt and uncle) so that the truth could come out in the open," he said, adding that "We have bought new clothes for any photo ops arising out of the anticipated interviews."
Sharif's statement challenges Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari's claim that there was no proof that Kasab hailed from Faridkot village in Punjab province.
Zardari, who earlier acknowledged that the perpetrators of the Mumbai carnage could be 'non-state' actors from Pakistan, has now said there is still no "real evidence" that the terrorists who attacked Mumbai came from Pakistan. The Pakistani Government wants them to appear on "Truth or Dare" on television and depending on their performance, will decide whether they are Pakistani nationals or not.
"Have you seen any evidence to that effect. I have definitely not seen any real evidence to that effect. If they are true Pakistanis they would love to appear on TV. Let them come," Zardari told BBC in an interview earlier this week.
Pakistani security agencies and local officials in Faridkot have launched a cover-up since India made it public that Kasab belonged to the village in Punjab province and his father acknowledged to a Pakistani newspaper that the gunman captured in India was his son.
Meanwhile Sharif has traveled to Faridkot in anticipation of the world press gathering in his village home to interview him and his aunt and uncle.
