The ill-timed release of Lashkar-e-Tayiba commander Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi has met with outrage from the international community. The development has been criticised by India, the US, France and Israel. These countries have expressed grave concern over the release of the alleged mastermind of the Mumbai terror attacks that left 166 people dead, including six Americans. Soon after Lakhvi was released on the orders of the Lahore High Court, India accused Pakistan of adopting a ‘dual policy’ in dealing with terrorists. His release might have far reaching effects on the credibility of Pakistan’s policy towards those involved in cross-border terrorism. The case is a glaring example of the government’s inability to act responsibly in dealing with terror-related cases. After Lakhvi’s release, fingers are being raised at the poor prosecution of the case. There are assumptions that the release was ensured either intentionally or due to the existence of inherent flaws in our judicial system. The case makes a mockery of the justice system that resulted in the establishment of another parallel judicial system in the form of military courts. The US, France and Israel have termed Lakhvi’s release a disappointing development and shocking news. The US has urged Pakistan to follow its commitment of bringing the perpetrators of the Mumbai incident to justice. The way Lakhvi and his other six co-accused were detained in jail has also come under scrutiny. Ever since he was arrested on December 7, 2008, there has been mounting evidence that Lakhvi has enjoyed special privileges inside Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi. Lakhvi’s release has made a negative impact on the recent breakthrough in relations between India and Pakistan. The recent visit of the Indian foreign secretary to Pakistan was being seen as a step towards normalisation of relations and there were hopes that an official dialogue process would start soon. But this new development has marred the possibility of a thaw in relations in the near future besides denting current diplomatic ties between the two neighbouring countries. The development can bring more serious consequences and repercussions. The government should have pursued the case in accordance with the law while conforming to the due prosecution process. The government needs to work on removing all inherent flaws in the judicial system. There should not be any discrimination between any accused, especially those who are found involved in terror-related cases and are accused of committing such brutal crimes against humanity. The Lashkar-e-Taiba commander, who is the main accused of the Mumbai terror attacks, should have been dealt with as per the law without any special incentives in jail. It is high time that Pakistan should get rid of its policy of treating terrorist figures as strategic assets. *