FBI team in Pak seeks access to NY bomber's father

The Federal Bureau of Investigation team, which had arrived in Pakistan earlier this week to probe the bungled Times Square bombing plot, visited several areas like Pabbi, Nowshera and Hassanabdal seeking access to Faisal Shahzad's father, former Pakistan Air Force Air Vice Marshal Baharul Haq.

Haq is said to be in protective custody of Pakistani agencies. Sources said the FBI team also held meetings with several high-ranking government officials. Earlier, Pakistan Interior Minister Rehman Malik said Islamabad has received a formal request from the US to help in investigations concerning failed Times Square bomber Faisal Shahzad's links with militants based in the country.

Interacting

with reporters at the Benazir Bhutto Airport in Islamabad, Malik said US has formally asked Pakistan to help in investigations and also provided details of charges levelled against Shahzad. "Today we received a formal request from them (US) in which they have told us some details about the charges. They think that Shahzad has been visiting South Waziristan and meeting Qari Hussain and Hakimullah Mehsud. But it all needs confirmation," The Dawn quoted Malik, as saying.

Responding to a question, Malik clarified that investigations to probe Shahzad's purported links with Pakistani militants would be carried out by country's agencies only. "Only Pakistani agencies would investigate this matter," he said.