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Pakistan court orders release of Mumbai attack ‘mastermind’

A top court in Pakistan has ordered the release of an alleged mastermind of November 2008 terrorist attacks in the Indian city of Mumbai. The release of Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi may further strain ties between Pakistan and India. Press TV's Kamran Yousaf reports from Islamabad.

Kamran Yousaf
Press TV, Islamabad

Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, the alleged mastermind of November 2008 Mumbai attacks, is seen as major obstacle in normalizing relations between Pakistan and India. Lakhvi was detained by Pakistani authorities in 2009 in connection with the attack. After years of trial, the court accepted his bail in December last year. But soon after the court ruling, the government detained Lakhvi under the maintenance of public order.

On Friday, the Islamabad High Court declared the detention order as illegal and ordered authorities to release Lakhvi. The latest court ruling may have negative implications for relations between Pakistan and India.

During his recent visit to Islamabad, the Indian foreign secretary demanded the successful prosecution of Mumbai attacks suspects, including Lakhvi.


The Indian government also summoned the Pakistani High Commissioner in New Delhi to convey its objections over Lakhvi’s release.While Pakistan says it cannot interfere in judicial matters, India, believes that it is the responsibility of Islamabad to take legal measures to ensure that Lakhvi does not come out of prison.