NEW DELHI: The Lok Sabha on Friday sent out a strong message to Pakistan condemning the bail to Laskhar-e-Toiba commander and architect of 26/11 Mumbai attacks Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi by a Pakistani court. The House passed a resolution expressing its concern at the “numerous delays in the prosecution and the apathetic attitude of the government of Pakistan” on the 26/11 attacks which have resulted in the bail to the terrorist.
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj expressed her dismay at the reported move and said it was Pakistan’s responsibility to take action. “India has strongly reacted to the information and made its position clear to Pakistan,” Swaraj said.
She added that India does not accept that Lakhvi, who has been declared an international terrorist by the UN Security Council, would be released on bail.
“We do not accept this argument that there is no sufficient evidence for a trial against him,” she said.
Without doubt the Mumbai attacks conspiracy was hatched in Pakistan, she said, adding that the attackers were trained there.
She said that 99 per cent of the evidence is available there, and that it was the responsibility of the Pakistani agencies to gather evidence. They had six years,” the minister said.
She further said that by giving bail to Lakhvi, the Pakistan government has turned its fight against terror into a joke.
“The Lok Sabha calls upon the government of Pakistan to proceed strongly with its declared intention to appeal the bail judgment, and requests the government to ensure that on no account is such an individual permitted to be released,” she said
The people of India attach the highest importance to bringing the perpetrators of the 26/11 attacks, their masters in Pakistan and their accomplices, to justice,” the resolution said.
LS in One Voice
Earlier, raising the issue, Congress’s Mallikharjun Kharge said the true face of Pakistan was visible now despite it assuring that it would take action against terrorists. “This is a big issue not only for Mumbai, but for the entire country. We want to know from the government what is it thinking. Prime Minister spoke to his counterpart after killing of 132 children. I want to know what the reaction of PM on this issue is. What assurance did Nawaz Sharif give to the PM to contain terrorism,” the MP said.