Lahore: Malik Ishaq, dreaded chief of banned LeJ that has carried out attacks on minority Shias and the mastermind of the assault on the Sri Lankan cricket team in 2009, has been released after three years in jail with the Pakistan government not seeking an extension of his detention.
Ishaq has been under detention for the last three years under a public security order for making “provocative” speeches.The government had detained Ishaq under Maintenance of Public Order (16 MPO), the same law under which key planner of 2008 Mumbai attacks Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi is being held after being granted bail.
The Supreme Court had granted Ishaq bail in July 2011 after which he was held under 16 MPO. Ishaq’s release comes despite PM Nawaz Sharif’s pledge to eradicate the “cancer” of sectarianism. Punjab government produced Ishaq before a provincial review board.
