RI, Pakistan keep in touch

JAKARTA: The Indonesian government is still in contact with Pakistani authorities over the detention of six Indonesians in Karachi, a minister said on Monday.

Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda said Jakarta and Islamabad had maintained communication over the fate of the detainees.

Pakistan arrested Rusman Gunawan, a brother of terrorist suspect Hambali, and five other Indonesian students attending a university in Karachi on Sept. 1 following a tip-off from United States' authorities investigating Hambali.

Authorities in the South Asian country have said the Indonesians would be deported.

Asked why the students remained in custody, Hassan said Pakistani authorities might have found additional evidence to extend their detention period.

"We keep on contacting Pakistan over the case," he said, adding the Pakistani government had promised to share the results of its investigation with Indonesia. -- Antara