Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, the commander of banned outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba, who was allegedly involved in planning, financing and executing the attacks on Taj Mahal hotel in Mumbai, was granted bail by ATC judge Syed Kausar Abbas Zaidi against submission of surety bonds worth Rs0.5 million.
State prosecutor Mohammad Azhar Chaudhry also told AFP on Friday he will challenge the court order.
The approval of bail drew swift condemnation from New Delhi, which urged the Pakistani government to appeal.
"I am completing all the legal formalities and then I will challenge this order in Islamabad on Monday," government prosecutor Chaudhry told AFP.
The 60-hour assault on Mumbai was blamed on the banned militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). Lakhvi remained in the high security Adiala prison in garrison city of Rawalpindi even after Thursday's court ruling.
"Today I am trying to get a copy of the written (bail) order and then I will file an appeal in Islamabad High Court," Chaudhry said.
The court's ruling on Thursday came a day after Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif vowed to crack down on terror groups in Pakistan, after Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan gunmen massacred 148 people, mostly teenagers, at a school in Peshawar.
Nawaz on Wednesday announced that a six-year moratorium on the death penalty would be lifted for those convicted of terror offences.
Indian Home Minister Rajnath Singh had said granting the bail was "very unfortunate".
"India has given enough evidence (against Lakhvi). We expect the Pakistan government to appeal at the earliest," he told journalists in Delhi.
COMMENTS (23)
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@wb:
"This should be done to Hafiz Saeed also. Just because he enjoys public sympathy and popularity...."
Should you had done the same with "The Butcher of Gujarat" as well in India, then your demand may have drawn some sympathies in Pakistan. But you rewarded The Butcher instead and made him the prime minister of India instead.
@MQ: Your use of the Peshawar incident as a sort of threat........is not only in poor taste but reflects badly on you.....shame.
Kudos .. but in addition Sharif should have publicly criticized the judiciary for freeing this terrorist. It's time for Sharif to put the pressure on the judges, imam's, politicians and other Taliban apologist and send a message to the World that Pakistan is serious about purging terrorism.
India should also put muzzle on hate perpetrators and Indian agencies destabilizing Pakistan in Baluchistan and fata
@Kazmis: Put your head back in the sand hole. Just like an ostrich.
I have little time for these maulvis who preach hatred and division.
Nor do I want to connect what happens to this man with anything else.
But I also want India to immediately cease support for the BLA and BRA, who have spread such terror and destruction in my province.
I want India to immediately provide all information of RAW's support so these criminals can be arrested and brought to trial also.
For God Sake please maintain this attitude towards terrorism no matter who ever he is or theses brave children who scarifies their life will never forgive us.
Well done!!! If Afaq Ahmed can be jailed without bail for seven years to please someone in London, why not do it for all the right reasons this time.
Good job by the govt (finally), sack the ATC judge to send a clear message to the other prosecutors and all ATC judges should be screened in case their sympathies lie on the wrong side or they're intimidated into giving light sentences. In fact, I think ATC should be handled by military tribunals.
The nation is united as one against this menace for what seems like the first time, PM sent the right message by allowing death penalty for these scum and not distinguishing 'good' or 'bad' among them - let's not let this opportunity go to waste like this, the lives of 132 schoolchildren should not be for nothing.
@Talking Point : Well it's beyond establishment's, or government's influence now. There is a general sentiment in public on street against terrorism and religpsity. Just follow what's happening in Islamabad in front of Red Mosque, or follow #reclaimourmosques on facebook. It's now gaining momentum on its own through a snow ball effect.
@MQ: totally agree with you..
@Professor: But this will create more hatered, more reaction. Are you sure it can eliminate the basic causes of conflict...
@Sashi: Please keep your fingers crossed my fellowman. We have had enough from getting opinionated so soon . There were other comments that the timing of the bail yesterday was also on cue from the establishment .
.........and better sense has prevailed.
Bravo, Pakistan! Well done! Many thanks from across the border. I cannot believe this could have happened without Gen. Shareef's complete support. From what I have been reading about & hearing from your raucous talk shows, it looks like you have an incredibly brave,morally upright & conscientious Army Chief at long last. May his tribe increase! I truly hope & pray he delivers to the citizens a country each & everyone is proud of! Kudos!
Well done!!!!!!!! No mercy
its time all countries collaborate to cleanse this evil which is threatening the very fabric of humanity and not go selective about it. This is a disease and needs to be eradicated without prejudice
Very good and bold decision it will help build confidence with neighbors as well a message to terrorists that there is a government.
The permanent chaos, anarchy, established norms of lying and bribery, social injustices.....are the consequences of NEGATIVE ENERGIES surrounding each and every soul in Pakistan. Religious fanaticism and excessive greed for material things have crippled the spiritual growth, therefore no inherent bliss!
Responsible for these destructive NEGATIVE ENERGIES are all the Governments, military, Islamic clergies and the pseudo intellectuals of Pakistan. The all have one common goal, namely to brainwash, manipulate and divide the people with their hate politics.
Good job. Well done GOP.
Now, please prosecute them properly and gather evidence if the evidence given by India is not enough.
This should be done to Hafiz Saeed also. Just because he enjoys public sympathy and popularity, don't spare the head of the gang.
Good.
Now expedite the Mumbai related trials. Actually use the evidence provided by Indian and US investigators to establish the guilt of the perpetrators. Fast track the trial by hearing it on a day to day basis. Simultaneously put a muzzle on Hafiz Sayeed.
Do all this before you run out of resolve or forget what happened in Peshawar.
well done....
I express my gratitude to the Pakistani government for doing the right thing. We may have our differences but we do not have to stoop to the levels that go against the basic tenets of humanity. Pakistan has shown that the dreadful and tragic incident in Peshawar could be an inflection point. India and Pakistan must root out this menace. We need not be friends but at the very least we can commit to root out this evil and get back to sorting out our contentious issues. I am sure it will be sorted out - maybe not immediately but we have all the time in the world.