Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) on Saturday categorically opposed sending of Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) chief or any other representative to India in the aftermath of Mumbai terrorist attacks. Mumbai was rocked by a series of attacks on hotels and other important buildings (Hotel Taj, Oberi and Jewish Center) by armed gunmen who besieged the buildings for almost three days.
Indian army and all other civilian law enforcing apparatus including commandos were used to vacate these buildings. About 200 people lost their lives in the deadly attacks bringing day to day life to a standstill in the financial hub of India.
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in his first address to the nation, during the siege pointed towards involvement of foreign hands in the attacks. Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on receiving the sad news of the incident expressed sympathy with his Indian counterpart and offered all possible help in nabbing the culprits.
After a day, Indian stance was completely focused on Pakistan and in support of its allegations Delhi demanded of Pakistan to send its intelligence chief for sharing the evidence and information it had gathered in connection with the attacks so far.
The request of Indian premier was accepted by Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani and he agreed to send ISI chief to India to share their concern. But in a meeting of the trio during early hours on Saturday the decision to send ISI chief was reversed and Pakistan offered unconditional support in this regard as the country itself is feeling the brunt of terrorism more than India.
The decision was widely criticised by the opposition parties and PML-N opposition leader in the National Assembly Chaudhry Nisar even went to the extent of challenging Prime Minister's decision at an appropriate forum after consulting legal experts. He said that the decision taken by the government in this regard is erroneous and inappropriate.
He said that India following its traditional stance is levelling allegations against Pakistan without proper material evidence, adding that the government should not act spontaneously on what India demands. Nisar condemned Mumbai attacks but added that India should not use such attacks for just point scoring against Pakistan who itself is the victim of worst kind of terrorism which is badly damaging its economy.
He asked the Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani to make it clear to the nation that had he made such a demand to the Indian Prime Minister for sending RAW director general to Pakistan for their negative activities in Balochistan and Fata.