New York: Pakistan’s double speak came out in the open when its consulate in New York rejected visas for a UN team that wanted to interview Lashkar-e-Taiba chief Hafiz Saeed.
Interestingly, the UN team was on a mission to interview Hafiz Saeed following his request to delist his name from UNSC 1267 sanctions list. UN protocol mandates that its representatives interview the person who has appealed for delisting from the UN sanctions list.
Pakistan’s refusal to block the UN team from interviewing the terror chief stems from their fear that Hafiz Saeed might reveal details of Pakistani involvement with terror organizations.
The UN ombudsman Daniel Kipfer Fasciati settled for a video interview after a face-to-face interaction with Hafiz Saeed was rejected by Pakistan.
Following Pakistan’s moves, the UN has officially recommended against delisting Hafiz Saeed.
Despite Pakistan’s talk of peace and anti-terror rhetoric, the country did not oppose the appeal of Lakshar-e-Taiba chief for delisting.
Hafiz Saeed is wanted by India for orchestrating the Mumbai attacks in 2008 in which at least 164 persons were killed by 10 highly trained Lakshar-e-Taiba terrorists.
