Pearl suspect to be tried in Pakistan, Musharraf spokesman says

Suspect Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh

KARACHI, Pakistan (CNN) -- A spokesman for Pakistan's president said Tuesday the key suspect in the kidnap-slaying of American journalist Daniel Pearl will be tried in Pakistan.

Maj. Gen. Rashid Qureshi said he delivered that message from President Pervez Musharraf to Wendy Chamberlin, the U.S. ambassador to Pakistan. No decision has yet been made on whether to extradite suspect Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh to the United States after the trial, Qureshi added.

Earlier Tuesday, a Pakistani court rejected a petition by the wife of Saeed, asking that her husband not be extradited to the United States.

"If the respondents [Pakistan government] decide to deliver the husband of the petitioner to the officers or authorities of a foreign country, then he will be delivered without any contravention of the law of the land," said the Sindh High Court ruling issued by Advocate General Raja Qureshi.

The court held that an extradition treaty created when Pakistan was part of the British Empire was adopted by Pakistan in 1972 and remains in effect.

U.S. reporter Daniel Pearl

During a court hearing last week, Sadia Saeed Sheikh's counsel argued that extradition at this time would violate a 1972 law providing her husband with the right to a fair trial in his country. Saeed is the British-born son of Pakistani immigrants, but authorities haven't clarified his nationality.

Pakistani authorities have said Saeed wouldn't be extradited before they complete their investigation.

Saeed has admitted in court that he orchestrated the Pearl kidnapping plot, although his statement was not made under oath and it cannot be used as evidence. Investigators have been granted until March 12 to find more evidence.

On February 21, the U.S. State Department confirmed The Wall Street Journal reporter, 38, was killed based on a videotape showing his body, which has not yet been found.