Pakistan receives Kasab's letter seeking legal aid

The Pakistan government on Monday night said that it has received a letter written by Ajmal Amir Iman Kasab, the lone terrorist captured for the Mumbai terror attacks, and was examining its contents.

The Foreign Office in Islamabad said the letter, in which Kasab sought legal assistance and a meeting with Pakistani officials, was forwarded to the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi by the Indian government.

"This evening, the Indian government has forwarded to the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi a letter from one
'Mohammad Ajmal Mohammad Ameer Kasab' who claims to be a Pakistani," said a statement from Foreign Office spokesman Mohammad Sadiq.

"He (Kasab) has sought assistance of a lawyer and a meeting with the Pakistan High Commission. The contents of the letter are being examined," the statement added.

Sadiq told state-run APP news agency that India's External Affairs Ministry had handed over the letter.

In New Delhi, External Affairs Ministry officials summoned Pakistan's Acting High Commissioner Afrasiab and handed over the letter to him.

Amir Kasab, the terrorist's father, has acknowledged to a Pakistani newspaper that the terrorist whose photographs were beamed around the world by the media was his son.

Residents of Faridkot, Kasab's village in Punjab province, have told the media that he last visited his home about six months ago, when he had told his mother he was going away for jihad.

However, the Pakistan government has distanced itself from these revelations, with President Asif Ali Zardari saying recently that there was no conclusive proof that the terrorists involved in the Mumbai attacks were Pakistanis.

India has blamed Pakistan-based elements, including the Lashker-e-Tayiba, for the attacks that killed over 180 people in its financial capital. It has asked Pakistan to take action against such elements and to deliver on its commitment to not allow its territory to be used for terrorist activities.