Obama asked why 26/11 trial has not started: Nawaz Sharif

Washington: Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif today said US President Barack Obama had raised terror mastermind Hafiz Saeed during their talks at White House and asked why the trial of the Mumbai terror attacks had not started yet.

"President Obama asked why the trial of the 26/11 attack has not started yet," Sharif told reporters after his meeting with the US President.

He said that Mr Obama also had spoken to him about Jamaat-ud-dawa, the banned terror outfit led by Hafiz Saeed.

Hafiz Saeed, believed to be the mastermind of the 26/11 attacks carried out by Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar e Taiba, is on America's list of most wanted terrorists but roams freely in Mr Sharif's country.

Mr Obama said, "We talked about senseless violence, terrorism and extremism. We need to find constructive ways to partner together - and find ways that respect Pak sovereignty, concerns of both countries and I am optimistic that we can move forward as both countries have suffered from terrorism. More Pakistani civilians have been killed by terrorism than anybody."

This comes a day after Mr Sharif was reportedly questioned by the US House Foreign Affairs Committee on terror-related issues, including Hafiz Saeed, the Lashkar e Taiba and their role in the Mumbai attacks.  

Mr Sharif met Barack Obama for the first time as the two countries attempted to build on a slow improvement in ties that hit rock bottom two years ago, in part over the US raid that killed al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden.

The Pakistan PM said he brought up the US drone strikes in Pakistan with Mr Obama and asserted that the strikes need to end. The strikes have been a sore point in relations between the two countries.
 
Under pressure from back home, Mr Sharif had on Tuesday said, "The use of drones is not only a continued violation of our territorial integrity, but also detrimental to our resolve and efforts at eliminating terrorism from our country."

"This issue has become a major irritant in our bilateral relationship (with the United States) as well. I would therefore stress the need for an end to drone attacks," the Pakistan PM said.

The White House meeting was Mr Sharif's first since he swept to power in May elections this year.