Saeed spreading terrorism in name of jihad: Pak govt tells review board

Mumbai terror attack mastermind and Jamat-ud Dawah chief Hafiz Saeed and his four aides have been detained for “spreading terrorism in the name of jihad,” Pakistan’s interior ministry has told a judicial review board.

Saeed on Saturday told the board he had been detained by the Pakistani government in order to stop him for raising voice for Kashmiris.

However, the interior ministry rejected his arguments and told the three-member board that Saeed and his four aides have been detained for “spreading terrorism in the name of jihad”.

The board comprising Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan of the Supreme Court (head), Justice Ayesha A Malik of Lahore high court and Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail of Balochistan high court directed the ministry to submit a complete record regarding detention of Saeed and his aides - Zafar Iqbal, Abdul Rehman Abid, Abdullah Ubaid and Qazi Kashif Niaz on next hearing on May 15.

The board also sought personal appearance of the attorney general of Pakistan on next hearing. Police produced Saeed and his four aides before the board at Lahore registry of the apex court amid high security.

A large number of Saeed’s supporters gathered outside the court.

Saeed’s counsel was present but he chose to plead his own case before the court. PTI