Published 12:10 IST, March 1st 2019

HUGE PAK ADMISSION: "Masood Azhar is in Pakistan but can't leave his house because he's really unwell", admits Imran Khan's minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi repeating 'India must present evidence' sham

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has admitted that Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar is in Pakistan and is "unwell", but said the government can act against him only if India presents "solid" and "inalienable" evidence that can stand in a court of law.

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Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has admitted that Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar is in Pakistan and is "unwell", but said government can act against him only if India presents "solid" and "inalienable" evidence that can stand in a court of law.  

Qureshi's remarks came amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan after February 14 terror attack by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) in Pulwama that left 40 CRPF personnel dead. 

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India has handed over a dossier to Pakistan with "specific details of JeM complicity in Pulwama terror attack and presence of JeM terror camps and its leadership in Pakistan." 

India also expressed regret at denial by Pakistan's political and military leadership at presence of terrorist infrastructure in territories under its control.

"He is in Pakistan, according to my information. He is unwell to extent that he can't leave his house, because he's really unwell," Qureshi told CNN when asked about Azhar.

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Azhar is chief of JeM that claimed responsibility for February 14 Pulwama attack in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed. India has been repeatedly trying to list him as a "global terrorist" by UN. However, China, an ally of Pakistan, has blocked India's efforts by using veto.

Qureshi also said that Pakistan will take action against him if presented with "evidence that can stand in a court of law".

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"If y have solid, inalienable evidence that is acceptable to courts of Pakistan, share it with us so that we can convince people and we can convince independent judiciary of Pakistan," Qureshi said.

"We need to satisfy legal process," he said.

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Qureshi also added that release of captured IAF pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman is a "peace gesture" and must be seen as Pakistan's "willingness to de-escalate". 

Varthaman, who in Pakistan's custody since Wednesday is likely to be released at Wagah border on Friday. 

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12:10 IST, March 1st 2019