Pakistan's High commissioner to India Shahid Malik on Tuesday said that India has not yet replied to Pakistan's offer of joint investigations of the Mumbai terror strikes. In an interview with private TV channel, he expressed the hope that India would agree for the joint probe of the attacks once the investigation process goes forward.
He said both the countries should work jointly to nab the culprits. It is imperative to eliminate terrorism from the region with joint efforts. "At the later stage of the ongoing investigations India would be ready for joint probe aiming to eliminate the menace of terrorism from the region," he added. He urged Indians to hold talks with Pakistan, as bilateral interaction would help reducing the trust deficit between the two countries saying: "At least both the countries should sit down and agree to disagree."
Pakistan wants earlier ending of hostile atmosphere between the two countries. A high level inquiry was continuing and it is hoped that the bilateral relations would come to the level it was used to be before the Mumbai mayhem, he opined.
The culprits if found involved would be punished in accordance with Pakistan laws. Pakistan was serious in eradicating the menace of terrorism from the whole world and investigating the Mumbai mayhem with sincerity. The findings of the Mumbai mayhem would be shared with India, he added. Responding to a question he said in last five years Pak-India bilateral trade had registered a quantum jump from $500 million to $5 billion.