ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on Friday lambasted India for releasing on bail the central figure behind the Samjhauta Express tragedy – Swami Aseemanand – and said the international community's silence on the development was concerning.

"India has been voicing concern on the Mumbai attacks suspects; why have they closed their eyes when terrorists in their own country are allowed freedom," said the federal interior minister.

"The international community, which has been lecturing Pakistan on terrorism, has today ignored the release of Swami Aseemanad. This raises a lot of questions."

Nisar said it appeared that those behind the hue and cry against terrorism consider India a "holy cow" where no one has any objections to "terrorists roaming about freely."

The minister said clear evidence existed that India did not let state witnesses record their statements in court which led to Aseemanad's freedom.

"The fact that a man responsible for recruiting 68 innocent individuals as terrorists has been freed reflects not only India's hypocrisy, but the entire international community's double standards as far as the fight against terrorism is concerned," said the interior minister.

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Earlier in the day, Pakistan lodged a strong protest with India against the decision of the Indian National Investigation Agency to not contest the bail granted to the main suspect in the Samjhauta Express case, Swami Aseemanand, on ‘special leave permission’.

“The Indian Deputy High Commissioner was called in by the Director General South Asia at the Foreign Office on Friday, and an official protest was lodged," FO spokesman Qazi Khalilullah said.

"Pakistan expects India to take steps to bring to justice all those involved in the heinous act of terrorism on the Samjhauta Express, in which 42 Pakistani innocent citizens lost their lives," the spokesman said.

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Foreign Secretary Aizaz Chaudhry had earlier this year, while meeting his Indian counterpart, voiced concerns over issues ranging from India’s interference in Balochistan, the Samjhauta Express case and the LoC ceasefire violations.

He had also raised the issue of delay in the Samjhauta Express probe. “No investigation details on the incident have been shared with us by India,” he said.

“Terrorism is not only Pakistan’s concern, but both countries are equally affected by it.”