Islamabad court clears way for registration of Hafiz’s party

A Pakistani court on Thursday allowed the Election Commission to register the Milli Muslim League, formed by alleged Mumbai attacks mastermind Hafiz Saeed with an eye on contesting this year’s election.

The Islamabad high court set aside the Election Commission’s decision not to register the MML last year in view of objections from the interior ministry. A statement issued by the MML said Justice Aamer Farooq had issued an order to the poll panel to register the party.

The ruling came a day after the Lahore high court extended its stay against the possible arrest of Saeed. The Lashkar-e-Taiba founder had approached the court following reports that he could be detained again due to pressure from the US.

There was no official word on Thursday’s development from the Pakistan government, which is facing intense pressure from the US and its allies to crack down on the JuD and Falah-e-Insaniyat Foundation, the groups linked to Saeed that have been declared fronts for the LeT by the US and the UN Security Council.

The Financial Action Task Force decided last month to put Pakistan on its “grey list” in June for not doing enough to choke funding for the JuD and FIF. Pakistan was backed only by Turkey after China and the Gulf Cooperation Council withdrew their opposition to a US move to put the country on the watch list.

The MML had approached the high court last year after the Election Commission refused to register it in October following opposition from the interior ministry.

NEW DELHI: