Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, the key planner of 2008 Mumbai attacks, on Wednesday submitted an application with the Pakistan government seeking an end to his detention under a public security order slapped on him soon after being granted bail in the 26/11 case.
“We have filed a representation (plea) with the Interior Ministry against the detention of Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi under maintenance of public order (MPO), which is illegal,” Lakhvi’s counsel advocate Raja Rizwan Abbasi said.
“Citing different references of law, we have requested the government to end Lakhvi’s detention. If the government does not entertain our request then we will move the High Court, challenging the illegal detention of Lakhvi,” Mr. Abbasi said.
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Islamabad Anti-Terrorism Court Judge Kausar Abbas Zaidi on December 18 had granted bail to Lakhvi citing lack of evidence against him, but before he could be released from the jail, the government detained him for three more months under public maintenance order in Adiala Jail where the trial is being held.
Meanwhile, the government has so far failed to file a plea challenging bail to Lakhvi on the last working day for courts on Tuesday ahead of a two-week winter break, citing that the judge has not released the copy of the order.