Pak challenges Saeed’s release

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Islamabad, Lahore: The Pakistan government on Friday filed an appeal in the Supreme Court against the release from house arrest of banned JuD chief Hafiz Mohammed Saeed, wanted by India in connection with the Mumbai attacks, saying it had evidence of his group’s links to terror outfits.

The home department of Punjab province challenged the Lahore High Court’s order of June 2 that freed Saeed and his close aide Nazir Ahmed from house arrest. The appeal noted that Saeed and Ahmed were originally detained in light of a UN Security Council resolution that declared the Jamaat-ud-Dawah (JuD) a terrorist organisation.

It said the government has evidence that the JuD has links with terrorist groups.

The Punjab government sought the immediate detention of both Saeed and Ahmed as their freedom could create a law and order situation. The appeal also said they needed to be detained for their own “protection.”

Law minister of Punjab province Rana Sanaullah said, “We hope the federal government will assist us with complete evidence against the JuD leaders.”

Unlike in the past, when evidence against Saeed and the JuD was presented in-camera in the court, the proof should be made public to strengthen the government’s position, Sanaullah said.

The minister said the Punjab government had prepared the appeal soon after the Lahore HC’s decision to free Saeed, but had been awaiting the federal government’s signal.

Saeed, also the founder of the banned Lashker-e-Taiba, was freed by the Lahore High Court after he spent nearly six months under house arrest. The court had said the Pakistan government did not produce any evidence to link him to Mumbai attacks.

On June 23, a special court in Mumbai issued warrants for the arrest of Saeed and 21 others for alleged involvement in planning and executing the Mumbai attacks.