Pakistan sacks national security adviser for remarks on Mumbai attacker

Source: Xinhua | 01-08-2009 09:02

ISLAMABAD, Jan. 7 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has sacked National Security Adviser Mehmud Ali Durrani, local television reported on Wednesday.

Gilani told the private Geo TV channel that Durrani had given a statement to an Indian news channel regarding the lone Mumbai attacker Ajmal Kasab without taking Gilani into confidence.

Reports said Durrani first disclosed that Ajmal Kasab is a Pakistani national.

Pakistan's foreign ministry confirmed later that Kasab is a Pakistani national.

Gilani said Durrani's statement had tarnished the country's image.

Kasab was captured after November's terrorist attacks on Mumbai, which killed more than 170 people.

Reports said earlier that the American Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) had identified Kasab as a Pakistani national, which Pakistan had denied.

Editor:Zhang Yun