国际英语新闻：Pakistan investigates cleric's role in Mumbai attacks

ISLAMABAD, Sept. 19 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan Saturday said it is investigating the role of a top cleric in the Mumbai attacks but ruled out the possibility of his extradition to India even if any of the charges against him are proved.

    India says that Hafiz Mohammad Saeed, chief of the banned Jamaat-ud-Dawah (JuD) group was the main behind the attacks, which killed nearly 170 people and injured over 300 others last November.

    "I would like to inform you that Hafiz Saeed is being investigated. He has been included in the investigation, he is under investigation," Pakistani Interior Minister Rehman Malik told a news conference.

    He said Interpol has issued a Red Corner Notice seeking the arrest of Saeed, but he could not be extradited to India as the two countries do not have an extradition treaty.

    However, Malik made it clear that Saeed will be given a "fair deal" as the matter will have to come up before Pakistan's "independent courts" if any evidence is found against the JuD chief.

    Saeed could be arrested only if there is evidence against him, Malik said. "If there is evidence against (Saeed), I assure you that he will not get out of the clutches of the law. We will take action," Malik said shortly after he briefed Indian High Commissioner Sharat Sabharwal on Pakistan's progress in its investigation into the Mumbai attacks.

    Pakistan also handed over to India a dossier containing information on the action taken by it against the perpetrators of the Mumbai incident as well as questions seeking more information from New Delhi.

    Malik said Pakistan could not arrest Saeed, also the founder of the Lashker-e-Taiba, on the basis of information provided so far by India.

    He said India had provided information like statements by Ajmal Amir Kasab, the lone attacker arrested for the attacks, and two more suspects, Sabahuddin and Fahim Ansari in India.

    Maik said that charges against seven suspects arrested in Pakistan will be framed on the next hearing on Sept. 26, saying Pakistan has completed its investigations.