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Local media hits out at ex-PM Sharif for saying Pak terrorists were behind Mumbai attack

Pakistani media reacted angrily to former prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s remarks acknowledging involvement of Pakistan-based terrorists in the November 26, 2008 Mumbai attacks. In an interview to Dawn newspaper, Sharif had lamented that the case against the accused in the attacks was being dragged in Pakistan deliberately.

Updated on: May 13, 2018, 22:16:51 IST
Islamabad, Hindustan Times | By
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Pakistani media reacted angrily to former prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s remarks acknowledging involvement of Pakistan-based terrorists in the November 26, 2008 Mumbai attacks.

Nawaz Sharif, former prime minister and leader of Pakistan Muslim League (N), gestures during a news conference in Islamabad on May 10, 2018. (REUTERS)
Nawaz Sharif, former prime minister and leader of Pakistan Muslim League (N), gestures during a news conference in Islamabad on May 10, 2018. (REUTERS)

In an interview to Dawn newspaper, Sharif had lamented that the case against the accused in the attacks was being dragged in Pakistan deliberately.

On the campaign trail in Multan ahead of general elections expected in a few months, the three-time premier said: “Militant organisations are active. Call them non-state actors, should we allow them to cross the border and kill 150 people in Mumbai? Explain it to me.

“Why can’t we complete the trial?” he added, an apparent reference to the trial of seven Lashkar-e-Taiba members, including operations commander Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, for their alleged role in the 2008 Mumbai attacks that killed 166 people.

On Sunday, most Pakistani news channels accused Sharif of speaking “against the national interest.”

ARY Television anchor Kashif Abbasi led the attack , commenting that Sharif had let Pakistan down to gain cheap publicity in India.

“He has spoken against Pakistan and must be punished for this.”

BOL Television dedicated a whole programme to comments made by Sharif over the past few years.

The channel accused him of being pro-India and anti-Pakistan.

Local newspapers were also critical of Sharif.

The much read Ummat Newspaper accused him of revealing state secrets and called for his punishment.

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