Lakhvi's release puts question mark on Pakistan's fight against terror: BJP

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday strongly criticised the decision by the Islamabad High Court to suspend the detention order against 26/11 terror attacks accused Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, adding that the judgement has put a question mark on Pakistan's seriousness in its fight against terrorism.

"The manner in which the Pakistan government has failed to ensure that Lakhvi remains in detention goes to show that Pakistan is still not serious and sincere about fighting terror," BJP spokesperson GVL Narasimha Rao told ANI

"There is a huge gap between what Pakistan professes is its policy of ending terrorism and bringing terrorists to book and its actual practice. Pakistan also seems to make a distinction between terrorists who commit terrorist acts within the borders of Pakistan and those who export terror outside," he added.

On a similar tone, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra castigated Pakistan for differentiating between good and bad terrorism, adding that such policies would not help Islamabad.

"Pakistan is again distinguishing between good terrorism and bad terrorism. Terrorism which attacks its neighbouring state appears to be good terrorism for Pakistan. This is not the way Pakistan can eliminate terrorism on its soil," he said.

Referring to the horrific massacre that claimed the lives of 132 school children in Peshwar, Patra added, "Pakistan needs to learn its lesson; small children had died on its soil, is this the way they are paying homage towards their children?"

The decision by the Pakistani court comes after the federal government in that nation cancelled Lakhvi's bail and extended his detention in the Adiala Jail under the Maintenance of Public Order ordinance on December 18.

However, Lakhvi's counsel appealed that Lakhvi's detention by the administration after the court granted him bail was unlawful.