India welcomes UN assurance to take up Lakhvi release issue

 India today welcomed UNSC's assurance of taking up the issue of Mumbai terror attack mastermind Zaki-ur Rehman Lakhvi's release at its next meeting, and questioned Pakistan's "sincerity" in the matter.

"Any act by Pakistan which is defying the international approach will be condemned by all and the indication which has come from UN that they will be having words with Pakistan in the matter related to release of Lakhvi is a welcome step for us," Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju told reporters here.

Replying to queries, Rijiju said India had conveyed to Pakistan its unhappiness at the way the case was being handled and charged it of not placing whatever matter was available before the court there.

"That is why it led to the release of Lakhvi through the court process. We demand the Government of Pakistan to be sincere," he said.

The assurance by the UNSC to take up the matter came after India's Ambassador to the UN Asoke Mukerji wrote a letter to the Chair of the UNSC Al-Qaeda Sanctions Committee Ambassador Jim McLay expressing concern over Lakhvi's release and said it violates the provisions of the committee concerning al-Qaeda and associated individuals and entities.
The next meeting of the committee is expected to take place in the next few days.