PAK-MUMBAI 2

"What value does Kasab's statement have since he
himself had retracted it? The Indian magistrate and police
officers who were involved in recording the statement are not
in Pakistan so that they can be cross-examined. So how can the
statement be used in Pakistan?" Sultan told PTI.
"All the information in the prosecution's case is
derived from that statement and the other attackers involved
in the Mumbai incident are dead. So we said the Pakistan
government should ask the Indian government to hand over Kasab
so that he can be tried as a co-accused," he said.
The defence lawyers also claimed the evidence against
their clients was fabricated and questioned the probe
conducted by the Federal Investigation Agency into Pakistani
links to the Mumbai attacks.
"We have set the ball rolling. Let us see what
happens," Sultan said.
The anti-terror court is yet to formally indict the
seven accused.
Judge Baqir Ali Rana, who was earlier conducting the
trial, sought to indict the accused at a recent hearing but
they refused to plead guilty or not guilty as their lawyers
were not present at the time.
Sources said Judge Awan convened the proceedings at 8
am today, saying he had to leave early as he had to attend a
funeral. (MORE) PTI