Islamabad, January 11
Pakistan today said fugitive underworld don Dawood Ibrahim is not present in the country, a day after India asserted its most wanted terrorist was living in the neighbouring country.

"We have repeatedly informed Indian authorities that Dawood Ibrahim is not in Pakistan," Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Tasnim Aslam said.

Asked if Dawood was ever present in Pakistan, she said: “This issue has been raised in the past too. We have checked and have said he is not present here.”

Addressing mediapersons in New Delhi, Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde had said: “As per our information, Dawood is in Pakistan.” “When I went to America last year to discuss inland security, I met the Attorney General who looks after the FBI. I talked to him and we decided that we will pass whatever information we have on Dawood amongst each other. We decided we will make joint efforts.”

Dawood is wanted in a number of cases by Indian security agencies including the 1993 Mumbai blasts.

Dawood, who heads a vast and multifaceted illegal business, has emerged as India's most wanted terrorist after the 1993 Mumbai bombings, which he allegedly organised and financed.

An Interpol red corner notice is still pending against him.

The US says Dawood maintains close links with terror outfit Al-Qaida.

As a result, the US declared him a “global terrorist” and pursued the matter before the United Nations in an attempt to freeze his assets across the world and crack down on his operations. — PTI