Kolkata, March 18 (IANS) Pakistan High Commissioner to India Abdul Basit on Wednesday said the "hype" created over an Islamabad court ordering the release of Mumbai terror attack mastermind Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi was "indirectly affecting" the judicial process in Pakistan.
Participating in an interactive programme here, the envoy asserted that Pakistan "has changed" in the last decade and called for having faith in its judiciary.
"There is a judicial process in Pakistan like any other democratic country. The prosecution is doing its best, I won't like to jump the gun."
"Even if he is granted bail, why create hype, the trial hasn't stopped. We would like the trial to end as soon as possible. Don't judge us from a narrow prism, Pakistan has changed a lot in the last decade," said Basit during a three-day visit to Kolkata.
"By creating this hype, which in my view is not called for, you are indirectly affecting the judicial process in Pakistan. Let the judicial process take its course, we are doing our best," said Basit, who was summoned by the Indian external affairs ministry after the court order.
The Islamabad High Court on March 13 struck down the detention order of Lakhvi, who is said to have overseen the 2008 Mumbai attack that left 166 Indians and foreigners dead and brought India and Pakistan close to war.
Lakhvi, however, continues to be in detention following an order by the home ministry of Pakistan's Punjab province.
The envoy also dispelled notions that Pakistan was intentionally going slow on the trial.
"It takes time because the crime scene was in India. We got all the evidence from India... there are so many gaping holes... but I would not enter into that debate."
"Don't draw premature conclusions, terrorism is a huge problem for us. You may have your 26/11 but we have these almost daily," said Basit, adding that terrorism had destroyed the social and economic fabric of Pakistan.
The envoy insisted that India should have agreed to Pakistan's proposal for a joint investigation into the Mumbai attack.
Basit refused to comment on the recent release of Kashmiri separatist leader Masrat Alam.
"I won't like to comment on that because there are divergent views on this. So far as I get to know from media reports, the legal position was such that he could not be put behind bars anymore," said Basit.
Chairman of the Muslim League, a constituent of Syed Ali Shah Geelani-led Hurriyat Conference, Alam was convicted for organising anti-India protests resulting in the death of 112 people in the Kashmir Valley in 2010.
He was released from Baramulla prison following the new Jammu and Kashmir government's policy to free political prisoners who do not face criminal charges.
IND vs PAK: After the match, Indian and Pakistani players shook hands and applauded each other.
Blind women cricketers from India and Pakistan surprised everyone by shaking hands with each othe
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Baba Siddiqui was shot dead in Mumbai on Saturday night.
Due to increasing cases, the weekend lockdown in Nashik, hotspots in Thane were closed till 31 March.
Due to rising cases of Corona, there will be a lockdown in Weekend in Nashik and many other restrict
The conflict continues between the terrorist organization Hamas and Israel. So far, about 1600 pe
Corona cases are increasing in the country. The worst situation is that of Maharashtra. On Friday
Nine months after the Russian invasion, the situation in Ukraine is grim. Amidst power cuts, and
Bishnoi community sought help from PM Modi in Salman Khan's Blackbuck hunting case.
Salman Khan is constantly in the news. The Bishnoi community is angry with Salman Khan. Salman Kh
The ODI World Cup will start in India after 15 days. The 13th edition of the tournament will star
PSEB 8th Class Result 2023: The result of the class VIII board exam has been released by the Punj
Shreya Singhal hails SC verdict on section 66A
New Delhi, March 24 (IANS) Petitioner Shreya Singhal, who questioned constitutionality of the I
