LAHORE, July 14: Malik Mohammad Ishaq, a leader of the outlawed Lashkar-i-Jhangvi, was released from Kot Lakhpat Jail on Thursday after remaining incarcerated for about 14 years.

On Monday, Malik Ishaq had secured bail from Supreme Court in the last case against him, in which he was accused of masterminding the 2009 terrorist attack on Sri Lankan cricketers.

According to his counsel, he was acquitted in 34 of the 44 cases against him and completed sentences in two of the cases, in which he had made confessions.

Jail Superintendent Mushtaq Awan said Malik Ishaq was released soon after the order for his release was received by prison officials.

Malik Ishaq went on trial for the first time in 1990, for the assassination of an Iranian diplomat, Sadiq Ganji.

Talking to reporters after being released, Malik Ishaq said the interests of Pakistan were dear to him and he would not harm them. He said he was satisfied with the decisions of courts.

He added that he would continue to “fight for the country and Deen-i-Mohammadi”.