Islamabad: Pakistan on Friday held India responsible for Lashkar-e-Toiba commander and 26/11 Mumbai attack mastermind Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi's release from Adiala jail in Rawalpindi. Lakhvi was released late Thursday night in secret and was received by his associates.
Pakistan's Foreign Office Spokesperson Tasnim Aslam said, "Inordinate delay in extending cooperation by India complicated the case and weakened the prosecution. We respect the judicial process and are confident that it would serve the interest of justice.
"The case of Mumbai attack suspects is sub-judice. It would not be proper to cast aspersions on Pakistan's commitment to countering terrorism at a time when Pakistan has entered a critical stage of defeating the menace of terrorism," she said when asked about her Indian counterpart's remarks on the Lahore High Court ruling, ordering Lakhvi's release.
Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, who guided 10 LeT gunmen from a control room in Pakistan during 26/11, walked free after being under detention for six years.
Lakhivi's release has raised concerns across the world with France and the United States urging Pakistan to stay committed to the fight against terrorism.
Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said, "France says Lakhvi's release is not good news for India and the world. Lakhvi's release was raised and condemned by French delegation too."
Fifty five-year-old Lakhvi, who guided 10 LeT gunmen from a control room in Pakistan during 26/11, walked free after being under detention for six years, a day after a Pakistani court ordered his release.
Lakhvi, a close relative of LeT founder and Jamaat-ud-Dawa chief Hafiz Saeed, was arrested in December 2008 and was indicted along with the six others on November 25, 2009, in connection with the 26/11 attack that claimed 166 lives. The trial has been underway since 2009.
(With additional information from PTI)
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