Pakistan rejects Indian criticism over release of Mumbai attack suspect

Pakistan on Friday rejected India's criticism over the release of a key suspect in the 2008 Mumbai attack.

Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, a leader of Jamaat-ud-Dawa group, was freed on bail after the Lahore High Court set aside a government's detention order.

Indian expressed concerns about the release of what India described as the "principal accused" in the Mumbai terrorist attack, which left 166 people dead.

"Our High Commissioner has registered our strong concerns with the Foreign Secretary of Pakistan at the release of a principal accused in the Mumbai terrorist attack of 2008," Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said in a statement.

Dismissing the Indian concerns, the Pakistani government said it respected the judicial process and was confident that it would serve the interest of justice.

A Foreign Ministry spokesperson said, "Inordinate delay in extending cooperation by India complicated the case and weakened the prosecution."

"It would not be proper to cast aspersions on Pakistan's commitment to countering terrorism at a time when Pakistan has entered a critical stage of defeating the menace of terrorism," the spokesperson said. Endi