Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said the chief of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) will not be forced to appear in any U.S. court. Gilani made a speech to Pakistan's National Assembly Thursday, over what he called a "sensitive issue."
His remarks addressed lawmakers' concerns that a U.S. court had summoned the ISI chief and other top officials for their alleged role in the 2008 terrorist attacks in the Indian city of Mumbai.
Gilani said the ISI is an "important institution" that will not be pressured to appear in court. He also reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to fighting terrorism.
The court action stems from a lawsuit filed in New York state last month by the families of four Americans killed in the Mumbai attacks. The family of an injured American joined the lawsuit.
The court summoned the ISI chief, Lieutenant General Ahmed Shuja Pasha, and his predecessor, Nadeem Taj. Leaders of the Pakistan-based militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba, including Hafiz Saeed and Zakiur Rahman Lakhvi, also have been called to appear in court next month.
India blames Lashkar-e-Taiba for the three-day siege on India's financial capital, which killed 166 people.
