The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday served another notice to Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, the main accused of 2008 Mumbai terrorists attack in a petition seeking cancellation of Lakhvi's bail granted by the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC), Islamabad. A division bench of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) comprising Justice Noor-ul-Haq N Qureshi and Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui heard the petition filed by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) pleading before the court to cancel the bail granted to Lakhvi by the ATC.
During the course of proceedings, the FIA's prosecutor Mohammad Azhar Chaudhry requested the court not to adjourn the matter for indefinite period, adding that there is international pressure on the government and even two countries demanded of handing over Lakhvi to India.
Upon which Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui replied, "The court has nothing to do with diplomatic issue which needs to be addressed by the government. The matter can be forwarded to military courts, if there is any urgency". The FIA prosecutor responded that it is the Ministry of Interior which has to decide whether or not the matter be forwarded to military court.
The bench observed that it appears Lakhvi has not received the court notice following the absence of his counsel from the proceedings. Later, the bench issued another notice to Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi with the direction to Superintendent Adiala Jial to ensure compliance of the court's summon. The bench also directed Superintendent to present the compliance report of notices to the court and adjourned the proceedings of the case for a short time.
Earlier, the FIA pleaded that the ATC judge overlooked the evidence submitted in the court, which included forensic evidence and DNA reports. The petition said that the ATC judge had not mentioned solid reasons for granting bail to Lakhvi. Therefore, the FIA prayed to the IHC to cancel the bail of Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi.