Prosecution surprised, to go on appeal

The anti-terrorism court in Pakistan gave bail to LeT operations commander Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, a key planner of the 2008 Mumbai attacks, despite evidence against him in the case which was nearing its end, prosecution on Thursday said, disclosing that they will challenge the decision.

The anti-terrorism court in Pakistan granted bail to LeT commander Zaki-ur Rehman Lakhvi despite evidence against him, prosecution lawyers said on Thursday, disclosing that they would challenge the decision.

“As the trial was near conclusion, the Anti-Terrorism Court Islamabad granted bail to Lakhvi despite evidence against him,” prosecution chief Chaudhry Azhar told PTI .

Justice Kausar Abbasi Zaidi is the eighth judge in the Mumbai attack trial which began in 2009.

“We have so far produced 46 witnesses who testified against all seven accused — Zaki-ur Rehman Lakhvi, Abdul Wajid, Mazhar Iqbal, Hamad Amin Sadiq, Shahid Jameel Riaz, Jamil Ahmed and Younis Anjum. Only 15 more witnesses have to testify against them . The trial is likely to be concluded in three to four weeks,” Mr Azhar said. Prosecution lawyers have received threats from Jamaat-ud-Dawah. Justice Abassi is holding the proceedings in-camera at Adiala Jail Rawalpindi due to security concerns.