Pakistan may allow Indian investigators to interrogate detained for their suspected role in the Mumbai attack if New Delhi provides sufficient evidence of their involvement in the deadly strikes, a Pakistani daily reported on Sunday.
Islamabad will not hand over the suspects to New Delhi, the report added.
"At the most, Pakistan could permit the Indians to grill the suspects. However, there is no likelihood that they will be handed over to India," The Nation said, quoting an unnamed Pakistani official.
Lashkar-e-Tayiba operations commander Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, who is suspected to have masterminded the attack, and its communications specialist Zarar Shah are among those detained.
Pakistan has turned down India's demands to hand over the suspects. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday said: "India does not want war with Pakistan but Islamabad must hand over the perpetrators of the Mumbai attacks."
But, the Pakistani official said that instead of indulging in a blame-game, India should provide substantial evidence about the involvement of Lakhvi, Shah or any other person.
If this is done, Indian investigators could be given access to the wanted persons on Pakistani soil, he added.
The official said the same went for law enforcement or investigation agencies from across the world. "But the main thing is sufficient evidence proving the involvement of those who are being blamed," the official said.
He said Pakistan was carrying out its own investigations into the Mumbai attacks and was ready for a joint probe with India. So far, there had been no response from India to Pakistan's offer for a joint probe, he said.
