ISLAMABAD: Two more prosecution witnesses on Wednesday recorded statements regarding the Mumbai attacks case at the anti-terrorism court in the federal capital.
Inspector Bilal Naeem and Imran Akhtar testified against the suspects and were subsequently cross-examined by defence counsel Raja Rizwan Abbasi. The hearing of the case was adjourned till January 31.
Seven suspects, including alleged mastermind Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, have been facing the trial before the ATC since 2009. Other suspects included Abdul Wajid, Mazhar Iqbal, Hammad Amin Sadiq, Shahid Jameel Riaz, Jamil Ahmed and Younus Anjum.
Earlier, in November 2017, Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua along with Foreign Office Spokesperson Dr Mohammad Faisal appeared before an anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Islamabad hearing regarding the Mumbai attacks case.
An ATC-bench, headed by Justice Shahrukh Arjumand, had sought a report from the government regarding Indian witnesses.
During a previous hearing on November 15, the ATC was annoyed with the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) director for not recording statements of 27 Indian witnesses.
The FIA director, while expressing hope that the matter would be resolved soon, had apprised the court that the interior and foreign ministries have had two conferences with regards to the Mumbai attack case. On this, the ATC had asked the secretaries of the interior and foreign ministries to present the said report.
On November 26, 2008, armed men attacked India’s financial capital Mumbai following which tensions mounted between Pakistan and India. At least 195 people, including 2 foreigners, were killed and several others were injured in the terror attack.
IHC DISMISSES LAKHVI’S PLEA: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) Wednesday dismissed a plea of Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi against an anti-terrorism court (ATC) decision regarding making the Indian investigation report as part of the Mumbai attack case record.
Justice Mohsin Akhter Kiyani of the IHC heard the case filed by Lakhvi challenging the decision. During the course of proceeding, no representative of Lakhvi appeared before the court. On which the bench dismissed the petition.
Lakhvi was granted bail by the Lahore High Court in December 2014, but he was detained under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO). The court also set aside his detention later, clearing the way for his release.
