Islamabad: Pakistan has decided to ignore the consular access plea of Ajmal Amir Kasab - the lone terrorist captured alive after the 26/11 terror strike in Mumbai - the Pakistan Prime Minister's Adviser on Interior Affairs, Rehman Malik said on Wednesday.
"There is no question of consular access unless it is proved that Ajmal Kasab is a Pakistan national," Malik told reporters on the sidelines of a function at the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) headquarters.
"We have thoroughly checked the registration record but have not found Ajmal Kasab's name in the Nadra database.
"Therefore we are not sure whether he is a Pakistani. How we can give him consular access without having knowledge about his nationality?" Dawn newspaper quoted Malik on Thursday as saying.
A desperate Ajmal Kasab had once again sought the help of the Pakistan High Commission for a lawyer on Wednesday.
On Wednesday, Kasab told the magistrate who was presiding over his custody hearing that he wanted to contact the Pakistan High Commission for his legal defence.
This is the second time that Kasab has asked Pakistan for legal aid - more than sufficient proof that he is a Pakistan national. The first time that he had done this was when he had written a letter to the Pakistan High Commission, a few days ago.
THE FIRST LETTER
In his letter he had claimed that he and the other terrorists who had been killed in the attacks were Pakistani and had sought a meeting with the Pakistan High Commission. However, Islamabad did not pay heed to his request, saying he was not a Pakistani.
The letter asked Pakistani officials to claim the body of his fellow terrorist Ismail Khan's body and give it an Islamic burial. In it, Kasab also named Zaki-ur-rehman Lakhvi, believed to be the man who lured him into terrorism, Lashkar-e-Toiba chief Hafiz Sayeed and member Mohammad Kahafa as his trainers.
Pakistan is currently examining the contents of Kasab's letter and is expected to make a formal announcement on his status soon. Meanwhile, Kasab will stay in police custody till January 6.
Rehman Malik has said that the truth about Kasab's identity will be out as soon as the letter has been examined.
(With inputs from agencies)
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