New Delhi: A desperate Ajmal Kasab - the lone terrorist captured alive after the 26/11 terror strike in Mumbai - has once again sought the help of the Pakistan High Commission for a lawyer, but Pakistan is still refusing to accept his nationality.
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.
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 on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Kasab will stay in police custody till January 6.
Advisor to Pakistan Prime Minister, Rehman Malik has said that the truth about Kasab's identity will be out as soon as the letter has been examined.
"If you get some accusations, there is always a process of elimination to prove something or disapprove something. We have received a letter and we are examining it> i have already stated on record that Kasab's name is not on the NADRA records. And NADRA is an organisation which keeps the record of all Pakistani nationals. So we are looking into it and whatever the truth we'll bring to the notice of public," he said.
On being asked if he had asked the Interpol chief to tell India to give evidence, Malik stated, "Why should I ask? I think the Interpol chief's verdict should be final because he was himself present in India. We draw the attention of the international community to this."
Meanwhile, Kasab has also been booked in the case of hijacking a Skoda car near Girgaum Chowpatti and fleeing in the same car along with another terrorist and remanded to police custody till January 6, 2009 by Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate NN Shrimangle on Wednesday.
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