Congress questions Centre over Hafiz Saeed's rant

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Reacting to the challenge put forward by Jamaat-ud-Dawah (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed to prove his involvement in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, the Congress Party on Monday raised questions over the recent negotiations between India and Pakistan.

"This is painful as our government is very keen to talk to Pakistan," Congress leader Pramod Tiwari told ANI.

"Hafiz Saeed is the killer of 197 people in Mumbai and he is making such statements. Is this the result of the negotiations between India and Pakistan? Pakistan should first send Hafiz Saeed to the Indian court and should stop terror activities," he added.

He insisted that firing and talks cannot go hand in hand between the two nations.

Echoing similar sentiments, Congress leader P.L. Punia raised questions over the recent bilateral talks between the two hostile nations and said it seemed that the important issues of terrorism and Mumbai attacks were not even raised.

"Hafiz Saeed is saying that India does not have any evidence of his involvement in 26/11 terror attacks. We want to ask the External Affairs Minister if the important issues of terrorism and Hafiz Saeed were even discussed," Punia told ANI.

"It was earlier decided that the voice samples of Hafiz Saeed and Lakhqwi would be handed to India but Pakistan had denied that also. I am unable to figure out as to what benefit India have received with the resumption of talks with Pakistan," he added.

Days after External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj visited Pakistan, Saeed posted a video on his Twitter account saying, "Our government remained silent, but let me respond to Sushma. It's been seven years but they could not prove who was behind the Mumbai attacks and Insha Allah (if Allah wills it) they will never be able to prove it until eternity."

"India has failed to provide any evidence of Mumbai attacks, while on the other hand Modi has confessed for worst terrorism of #1971," he said.

Saeed's statement comes after India was assured of steps being taken to expedite the early conclusion of 26/11 Mumbai trial, after Swaraj visited Pakistan last week.