Sacked Pak AG says his dismissal was 'unwarranted'

Pakistan's sacked deputy attorney general described his dismissal as "unwarranted" and insisted that handing over of Ajmal Amir Kasab to Islamabad is necessary for the successful trial of the other Mumbai terror attack suspects captured by authorities in Pakistan.

Sardar Mohammad Ghazi, dismissed for making controversial remarks on Kasab, said there were no differences of opinion when he had told senior government officials that Pakistan would have to seek the extradition of Kasab, the "prime suspect" in the Mumbai attacks case.

Ghazi, who was also the special public prosecutor in the Mumbai attacks case in Pakistan, was removed from both the posts last week after he sparked a controversy claiming that Islamabad had formally requested India to hand over Kasab.

Ghazi said he was briefed on the case and the evidence collected by Pakistani investigation agencies by "responsible authorities in the office of Attorney General".

The senior lawyer, who is currently in Britain on a private visit, told Dawn News channel that his sacking was "unwarranted". He said during his meeting with officials in the investigating agencies and the office of the attorney general, he candidly discussed all aspects of the Mumbai case.

There were no differences of opinion when he gave his views on seeking the custody of Kasab, he said. Kasab's extradition is necessary for the successful trial of other suspects captured by Pakistani authorities, Ghazi said. He also said he was assured of a "free hand keeping in view national interests and security".

Ghazi said no official had expressed displeasure over his remarks to the media on seeking Kasab's extradition though they had told him to avoid public comments which interfered with the investigation into the Mumbai attacks.

He said the authorities should have sought an explanation from him before sacking him. Ghazi's comments had sparked a controversy and the Foreign Office denied that any formal request had been made to India for Kasab's extradition.

Pakistani authorities have detained six suspects, including Lashker-e-Taiba operatives Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, Zarar Shah and Hamad Amin Sadiq, in connection with the Mumbai attacks.