Islamabad:
Pakistani authorities have challenged an anti-terrorism court's decision to reject a plea to declare Ajmal Amir Kasab and Fahim Ansari as fugitives in connection with the trial of seven suspects linked to the 2008 Mumbai attacks.
Special Public Prosecutor Malik Rab Nawaz Noon filed a petition on behalf of the Special Investigation Group of the Federal Investigation Agency in the Rawalpindi bench of the Lahore High Court on Saturday to challenge the anti-terrorism court's verdict, sources said.
The four-page petition contended that the anti-terrorism court could not "technically" satisfy itself that Kasab and Ansari are in the custody of Indian authorities and that they could not be brought back to Pakistan by declaring them "proclaimed offenders" or fugitives.
The petition further contended that Kasab and Ansari could be declared fugitives under Sections 87 and 88 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.
It added that the anti-terrorism court had not fulfilled its obligations under these sections of the CrPC.
In an order issued on March 27, the anti-terrorism court had turned down the prosecution's request to declare Kasab and Ansari as fugitives.
The anti-terrorism court further said Kasab and Ansari were in the custody of Indian authorities and facing trial in the Mumbai attacks case.
The petition asked the Lahore High Court to direct the anti-terrorism court to declare Kasab and Ansari as fugitives. The petition marks another twist in the trial of the seven Pakistani suspects, including Lashker-e-Taiba commander Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, who have been charged with planning and facilitating the Mumbai attacks.
Lawyers defending the seven suspects have contended that the trial of these seven suspects cannot be separated from that of Kasab and Ansari.
The lawyers have also demanded that the duo should be brought to Pakistan to face trial with the other suspects.