Hiding Qasab’s nationality didn’t make sense: Durrani

Sacked national security adviser says Pak came clean on 26/11 terrorist after security agencies recommendation

Hiding Qasab's nationality didn't make sense: Durrani

Sacked national security adviser says Pak came clean on 26/11 terrorist after security agencies recommendation

Pakistan's security agencies had recommended confirming the surviving Mumbai terrorist was a Pakistani, the country's former national security adviser said yesterday, adding he was sacked because the PM was out of the loop.

PM Yousuf Raza Gilani fired Mahmud Ali Durrani on Wednesday, shortly after he confirmed that Qasab was Pakistani. The decision was reportedly taken after Durrani made a statement about Qasab's nationality on an Indian TV channel.

But Durrani revealed that authorities, including security agencies, had already decided to confirm that Qasab was Pakistani. "It had been decided yesterday that we would tell the world that he is a Pakistani because hiding that makes no sense," he said, adding, "The security agencies recommended it."

Other credible sources confirmed that Durrani had indeed cleared his admission of Qasab's citizenship with the army and intelligence top brass and the presidency.

'Ignorant' PM

Durrani said he was dismissed because Gilani had not been informed about the decision to confirm Qasab's nationality and he felt the need to exert his authority. "The PM happened to be ignorant. He was out of the loop," said Durrani.

While India has interpreted Durrani's dismissal as punishment for revealing the truth, Pakistani media speculated it showed a split in power circles in Islamabad. This dismissal is the latest incident since 26/11 to raise questions about who is in charge in Pakistan.

Durrani said the confirmation of Qasab's nationality should help ease tension between India and Pakistan. "I was doing what is best for peace between India and Pakistan."

The other side
Pakistani PM Yousuf Raza Gilani's office said Durrani had been sacked "for his irresponsible behavior for not taking the prime minister and other stakeholders into confidence".