Lahore high court bars authorities from arresting Hafiz Saeed
A Pakistani court on Wednesday ordered the federal and Punjab government not to arrest or put Jamaatud Dawa ( JuD) chief Hafiz Mohammed Saeed under house arrest ‘ until further notice.’
Hafiz Saeed had pleaded to the Lahore High Court ( LHC) against his possible arrest. In the plea he argued that the government was under pressure from the United States and India and was planning to arrest him. Justice Aminud Din Khan heard the petition.
Law officers representing federal and provincial governments pleaded the court for more time to submit replies. Justice allowed their plea and put off further proceedings until April 4.
Earlier, the Punjab government banned two charities linked to Hafiz Saeed, just days before a global watchdog is due to vote on a US- backed motion to put Islamabad on a watch- list for failing to curb terrorist financing.
The move comes after
Pakistan quietly amended its anti- terror laws to ban organisations listed as terrorists by the United Nations. The change was made by President Mamnoon Hussain on Friday and published by the law ministry late Monday.
Authorities have seized control of offices and financial assets of the charities — the JuD and F al ah-e-Ins a ni at Foundation ( FIF). Saeed is banned on the international terrorism blacklist maintained by the UN.
The United States and India blame Saeed for deadly militant attacks, including a four- day siege by gunmen in Mumbai in 2008 that killed 166 people. Washington has offered $ 10 million for information leading to his arrest and conviction.