BJP, Congress slam Pakistan over Lakhvi's release

New Delhi, Dec 29: Both the BJP and the Congress on Monday slammed Pakistan after the detention order of Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, the mastermind of the 2008 Mumbai attack was suspended by a court.

Former external affairs minister Salman Khurshid called it a betrayal of Pakistan's claim to fight terror.

"This was only a trial; keeping him (Lakhvi) in jail was the least we expected. It is disappointing, and a complete betrayal of their claim of fighting terror," Khurshid said.

Congress leader Rashid Alvi said it proves Pakistan has not learnt its lesson.

"It shows Pakistan is not concerned about how terrorism is spreading. Children were killed on their soil, but they still have not learnt their lesson," said Alvi.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson G.V.L.Narasimha Rao echoed the sentiment.

"The manner in which the Pakistan government has failed to ensure Lakhvi remains in detention, and the manner in which he was allowed to get bail shows Pakistan is not serious about fighting terror," said Rao.

Another BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said: "Pakistan is differentiating between good and bad terrorism. The terror which strikes its neighbour is good terrorism for them".

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) Monday suspended the detention order of Lakhvi, who had been kept in custody under the preventive detention order after an anti-terrorism court granted him bail.

IANS