'As far as Hafiz Saeed is concerned, please do not make this a precondition. Because you know yourself that what you have given us is not evidence,' Malik contended.

When it was pointed out that India had submitted evidence of Saeed's role in the Mumbai mayhem, Rehman replied: 'Look, there is a difference between leads and evidence. If we can arrest (Lashkar-e-Taiba commander Zakiur Rehman) Lakhvi, why would we not arrest Saeed?

'The only request that I am making to India is give us credible evidence. I am not rejecting those leads. Only three weeks have passed. Give me some time to investigate. You have seen two FIRs in Faisalabad. It is not window dressing. Believe me,' the interior minister added.

When it was pointed out that the FIRs were not in connection with the Mumbai attacks, Malik said: 'He was instigating people. So the FIR was registered.'

Turning to the peace process, Malik said: 'I think Pakistan's offer of composite dialogue must be accepted. There is no harm in sitting together. Even enemies sit together. We do not treat you as enemies. Let us be friends.'

Noting that he hoped to meet his Indian counterpart P. Chidambaram, Malik said: 'I expect to meet my counterpart. I have no hang-ups with that.'

'My appeal to India would be that move away from the past. We need to have a fresh start. Let's first identify our issues. You identify your issues as we have done. We are ready to take this forward,' he added.