Congress criticizes govt. for not mounting pressure on Pak over Lakhvi's release

Congress leader Rajeev Shukla on Friday criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA Government for not mounting pressure on the Pakistan Government over its decision to release Mumbai attack master mind Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi.

"Lakhvi was the prime accused in 26/11 Mumbai incident, now he is roaming around free and nothing is being done by the Government of India to mount pressure on Pakistan government," Shukla told ANI here.

"Earlier the same thing happened with Hafiz Muhammad Saeed, and now it is happening with Lakhvi also," he added.

Shukla asserted that Pakistan is taking the Government of India very lightly and they are least bothered about India's position on the release of Lakhvi.

"Government of India must act in tough manner as far as Pakistan is concerned. India should solicit the help of America also in putting pressure on Pakistan as far as terrorism is concerned," he further added.

Earlier on Thursday, the Lahore High Court struck down the detention order of Lakhvi and ordered his release.

The court was hearing a petition filed by Lakhvi challenging his fourth one-month detention ordered by the Okara DCO on March 14

The court ordered his release based on the lack of reliability of the sensitive information provided and also directed the accused to pay 20 lakh rupees in surety bonds to Adiala jail.

Lakhvi is among seven people charged with planning and carrying out the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.