Unnecessary Hype Created on Grant of Bail to Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi: Pakistan

Islamabad: Pakistan today said it was vigorously pursuing the 2008 Mumbai attacks case and described as "unfortunate" the "hype" created on the grant of bail to Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, the mastermind of the deadly assault.

"The case is sub-judice. It is unfortunate that an unnecessary hype was created on grant of bail to Lakhvi. These are legal matters and media trials serve no purpose. We should wait for the outcome of the case. The case is progressing well," Foreign Office (FO) spokesperson Tasnim Aslam said.

She also accused India of not sharing findings of the investigation into the Samjhauta Express blast case with Pakistan.

"I may also draw your attention to a totally different situation with regard to the Samjhauta Express terrorist attack in which close to fifty Pakistanis were killed. The investigations and the confession of the mastermind of the attack, Swami Aseemanand pointed to the involvement of Indian military officers and some organisations linked to major political parties," Ms Aslam said replying to a question.

"Yet, Aseemanand was granted bail on 28th August 2014. Although Samjhauta Express terrorist attack happened more than two years before the Mumbai attack, it is very disappointing that India has not shared findings of the Samjhauta Express terrorist attack investigations despite assurances at the highest level," she said.

"We do not draw comparisons and do not take a similar approach. The Mumbai case is being pursued vigorously by prosecution," the spokesperson said.

Lakhvi, 54, was granted bail on December 18 in the Mumbai attacks case but was detained under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO). He challenged his detention under MPO in the Islamabad High Court which on Monday suspended the government order, evoking a strong reaction from India.

The Pakistan government today challenged the Islamabad High Court's order suspending Lakhvi's detention.

He was sent to 14 days judicial custody today in a case of kidnapping that will keep him in jail. (Read)