India must take up Dawood's presence strictly with Pakistan: SP

The Samajwadi Party (SP) on Sunday slammed Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit's remarks on Dawood Ibrahim's presence in Islamabad and advised the Centre to talk seriously with Islamabad in the regard.

Party leader Abu Azmi said that Pakistan is taking India lightly and is treating serious issues like Dawood's presence in that country as a joke.

"Pakistan is taking India very lightly, it is avoiding important issues. Pakistan is resorting to new lows. They are treating important issues like Dawood as a joke. I believe that the government should take this very seriously and talk with Pakistan strictly. Pakistan should give an authentic answer in this regard," said Azmi.

Reacting to Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Vikas Swarup's questions on fugitive underworld don Dawood Ibrahim hiding out in Pakistan , Basit said, "Ye baat purani ho gayee hai (This is an old issue)".

On Friday, Swarup said that Pakistan must extradite Dawood whom they have provided sanctuary for long.

"We hope that Pakistan will heed international opinion on this issue," Vikas Swarup said.

Swarup's remarks came after the designated global terrorist's presence in Pakistan was confirmed by United Nations. Six of nine addresses provided by India were found to be correct by a UN committee.