'Lakhvi release hype affecting Pakistan judicial system'

Kolkata, March 18: Pakistan High Commissioner to India Abdul Basit on Wednesday said the “hype” created over an Islamabad court ordering the release of Mumbai terror attack mastermind Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi was “indirectly affecting” the judicial process in Pakistan. Participating in an interactive programme here, the envoy asserted that Pakistan “has changed” in the last decade and called for having faith in its judiciary. “There is a judicial process in Pakistan like any other democratic country. The prosecution is doing its best, I won’t like to jump the gun.” “Even if he is granted bail, why create hype, the trial hasn’t stopped. We would like the trial to end as soon as possible. Don’t judge us from a rrow prism, Pakistan has changed a lot in the last decade,” said Basit during a three-day visit to Kolkata. “By creating this hype, which in my view is not called for, you are indirectly affecting the judicial process in Pakistan. Let the judicial process take its course, we are doing our best,” said Basit, who was summoned by the Indian exterl affairs ministry after the court order.  (ians)