Justice Akram Awan, a judge of the special court, was hearing the case of seven other co-accused, including Zakiur Rahman Lakhvi, arrested from Pakistan for their alleged involvement in the Mumbai attacks.
The legal counsel for the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) appeared at the hearing, which is taking place inside Adiala Jail behind closed doors due to security reasons, and submitted for the issuance of the arrest warrants of Ajmal and Fahim so that they could be produced before the court. Before adjourning the hearing the court issued their arrest warrants and directed the authorities to produce both of them on July 24.
Ansari and Kasab are currently in custody of the Indian government. Kassab was convicted and sentenced to death by an Indian court while Ansari, who is an Indian national, was acquitted in the trial.
Khawaja Sultan, the counsel for Zakiur Rahman Lakhvi, submitted a bail application for his client, contending that he had no known criminal record and that he was not wanted for any other crimes.
It was also contended that there was no other charge-sheet against Lakhvi.
The application further stated that Lakhvi should be released as the prosecution had been unable to produce any solid evidence against him during the 19 months that he has been in detention for his alleged involvement in the Mumbai attacks.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 11th, 2010.
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