Pakistan has received a formal request from the United States to launch formal investigation regarding Faisal Shehzad, who was detained in the US over Times Square incident in New York. This was stated by Interior Minister Rehman Malik here on Saturday.
"We have received a letter from the US in which they have requested formal launch of investigation regarding Faisal Shahzad", he said while talking to media at Islamabad International Airport on his return from China.
Pakistan would fully cooperate with the US authorities in the investigation of the failed terrorist attempt in New York, he said, adding that after receiving formal request from the US authorities, orders have been issued for registering case under Anti-Terror Act.
Rehman said that the US authorities have levelled allegations against Faisal Shehzad. These include his South Waziristan Agency visit and meeting Hakeemullah Mehsud and Qari Hussain. The US allegations against Shehzad will be probed for which orders have been issued, he added. He said that it is the prerogative of Pakistan's intelligence agencies to investigate the alleged links of Faisal Shahzad with the Taliban, "and we would maintain transparency in investigation".
The minister said that investigation into the Faisal case would be transparent, and the general public would be kept abreast of developments in this regard. Regarding arrival of FBI team, he said that there was no reality in the reports that an FBI team was in Islamabad to investigate the New York bomber's links with terrorists in FATA.
Rehman told media that his China visit was very successful, and Beijing had confirmed $180 million to be given to Pakistan for enhancing the capacity of its law enforcement agency. China also offered training to Pakistan's law enforcement agencies personnel and RMB, two million yuan for purchase of police equipment's and agreement was signed for donation confirmation with his Chinese counterpart, he added.