Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi's release: New Delhi conveys anguish to Pakistan

NEW DELHI: A single bench of the Islamabad High Court on Friday ordered the immediate release of 26/11 mastermind Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, drawing India’s ire. Officiating foreign secretary Anil Wadhwa summoned Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit and lodged a strong protest, adding it was Islamabad’s responsibility to ensure that Lakhvi does not come out of jail.

Wadhwa summoned Basit to South Block and conveyed India’s unhappiness. The matter was also “raised at high levels” in Pakistan through Indian High Commission, official sources said. Blaming Pakistan, Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju told reporters that Islamabad did not produce evidence against him despite having enough of it.

“Pakistan did not present the evidence before the court...The way the case has been handled by Pakistani agencies. Our concern is Pakistan should deal with terrorists in a manner in which the whole global community is looking at,” Rijiju said, adding “There is no bad or good terrorists, a fact which has been globally accepted”.

India’s reaction came within hours of the Islamabad High Court declaring as void the detention order of Lakhvi. The issue was also “raised at high levels” in Pakistan through Indian High Commission, official sources said.

Talking to media outside the South Block after his meeting with Wadhwa, Basit refused to comment and rather quipped, “ask your MEA about the meeting.” The High Commissioner, however, later remarked, “He (Lakhvi) may have been granted bail, but let judicial process take its course.”