Mumbai attacks mastermind Lakhvi still in detention, Pakistan to take 'strong action': Pak envoy Abdul Basit
Kolkata: Affirming that 2008 Mumbai attack mastermind Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi "was not released and still in detention", Pakistan's High Commissioner in India Abdul Basit on Wednesday gave assurance that the country's judiciary would take 'strong action' against him.
"I want to tell you that Mr Lakhvi has not been released, he was in detention and continues to be in detention," Basit said while speaking to reporters at a program on Wednesday.
On how much time the trial would take to complete, Basit said that it might take sometime as the scene of crime was in India.
"I think it will take sometime because the crime scene was in India. We got all the evidences from India. I can give you so many things even at this stage with so many gaping holes elsewhere but I will not like to enter into a debate on that issue. I will request you not to jump the gun and draw premature conclusion," he said.
Stressing that Pakistan was a changed nation with a strong civil society and an independent judiciary, Basit said, "Please do not judge us through a narrow prism. Pakistan has changed a lot in the last 10 years. We have a very strong civil society, we have a very robust media, an independent judiciary. So Pakistan is not the same country it was some 20 years ago."
"It is a trial and it is a matter sub-judice. Now the prosecution is doing its best on whatever evidence and witnesses we have to move forward. I will not like to jump the gun," the high commissioner said.
Read: Mumbai terror attacks mastermind Lakhvi to remain in jail for now
Basit further requested the media "not to create any hype" regarding the issue as it may indirectly affect the judicial process in the neighbouring country.
"Even if he is granted bail, why to create hype? I do not understand because the trial hasn't stopped. Please try to understand how judiciary functions in Pakistan," he said.
Observing that it (hype) was not called for, Basit said, "By creating a hype you are indirectly affecting the judicial process in Pakistan. Let the judicial process take its course and as far as prosecution is concerned, I can assure you that we are doing our best."
Basit said, "We owe it to our posterity to work seriously in removing problems between our two countries and work seriously towards normalising relations. This is an historic opportunity because the leaderships on both sides are committed to development agenda, to peaceful agenda. So, this is a time to explore all possibilities."
On trade, he said if non-tariff barriers could be removed, the bilateral trade volume could expand to USD 15-20 billion from just a mere USD 2.7 billion now. Basit pointed out that issues like visa, lack of bank branches and a conducive political environment were holding the inherent potential of both countries from being harnessed.
However, Basit said, he remained optimistic about the future and pointed out that it was just a matter of time before the non-discriminatory market access (NDMA) status was extended to India. It would help the two neighbours have a level-playing field. India had extended the Most Prefered Nation Status to Pakistan way back in 1996.
