ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday ordered the immediate release of the alleged Mumbai attack mastermind Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, declaring his detention illegal.
The IHC’s Justice Noorul Haq Qureshi accepted the appeal filed by Lakhvi against his third time detention orders.
In December last year, the Islamabad administration issued detention orders under section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order, which was subsequently extended for the third time.
Lakhvi has been granted bail in both cases against him including the 2008 Mumbai attack case and a case pertaining to the kidnapping of an Afghan national.
India protests to Pakistan over Lakhvi’s release orders
Meanwhile, the Indian government lodged a strong protest with the Pakistan government, and said that it was “extremely upset” over the verdict of a Islamabad court ordering release of Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi.
The Indian External Affairs Ministry summoned Pakistan High Commissioner to India Abdul Basit and sought from him an explanation over Lakhvi’s release.
“India is extremely upset with the verdict and as a first step lodged a strong protest with the Pakistan government,” the Indian media reported citing sources.
“It is the responsibility of the Pakistan government to take all legal measures to ensure that Lakhvi does not come out of jail,” the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs said in its reaction.
“The overwhelming evidence against 2008 Mumbai attack mastermind Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi has not been presented properly before court by Pakistani agencies,” the ministry said.
“There are no good or bad terrorists,” it added while cautioning Pakistan to realise.
