26/11 case: Pak court adjourns trial till Feb 17

Rezaul H Laskar

Islamabad, Feb 4 (PTI) A Pakistani anti-terrorism courttoday adjourned the trial of LeT''s Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi andsix others charged with involvement in the Mumbai attacks tillFebruary 17 after prosecutors sought more time for the LahoreHigh Court to decide on a related petition.

The prosecution team told anti-terrorism court Judge RanaNisar Ahmed that more time was needed for the High Court todecide on its plea to declare lone surviving Mumbai attackerAjmal Kasab and terror suspect Fahim Ansari as "proclaimedoffenders" or fugitives.

The Federal Investigation Agency''s plea was listed forhearing by the High Court yesterday but could not be taken upas the bench handling the petition was dissolved following theretirement of a judge.

The High Court is expected to notify a new bench to takeup the matter.

Judge Ahmed expressed concern at the delay caused by theFIA''s petition in the High court and observed that thereshould not be any further delays, sources told PTI.

The judge then adjourned proceedings in theanti-terrorism court till February 17.

Pakistani national Kasab was sentenced to death by acourt in Mumbai for his role in the attacks on India''sfinancial hub that killed 166 people in November 2008.

Ansari, an Indian national, was acquitted by the samecourt but he continues to be in custody in connection withother cases.

The FIA''s petition asks the High Court to declare Kasaband Ansari as proclaimed offenders, to issue non-bailablewarrants for them and to de-link their trial from that of theseven Pakistani suspects.