The Lahore High Court on Wednesday ordered the release of Jamat-ud-Dawa (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed, who has been under house arrest since January this year. 
&nbsp; 
During the nine months of his detention, the Pakistani government&rsquo;s efforts at pursuing the case were at best lacklustre and seemed more cosmetic than anything, just like his house arrest during which he continued with his activities, and ran his charity organisation which many believe acts as a front and a reincarnation of the Lashkar-e-Taiba.

The JuD chief even managed to launch a political party by the name of Milli Muslim League (MML), but I will come back to that later. First, more on the court case. 
&nbsp; 
The judges hearing the petition &ndash; filed by Hafiz Saeed&rsquo;s lawyer who pleaded that there was no justification for Saeed&rsquo;s arrest &ndash; repeatedly asked the government&#39;s representatives, prosecutors, and law enforcement officials to present evidence that would ensure Saeed&#39;s continued captivity but the federal and provincial authorities failed to satisfy the courts. 
&nbsp; 
Does the government have this evidence? From what we know, India claims to have provided enough evidence against Hafiz Saeed for his involvement in the Mumbai attacks of 2008, which left 166 people dead.

Even the United States of America has put him on the Global Terrorist List.

However, in Pakistan, Indian claims are rejected outright while American labelling is also seen as India managing to convince the US through successful propaganda and nothing more. 
&nbsp; 
But there is another side to why the government has not pursued this case as it should have &ndash; its hands are tied by a powerful military establishment that does not want to share intelligence with its civilian counterparts.

In Pakistan, it is the military agencies that are thought to be responsible for domestic security affairs, especially when they concern&nbsp;intelligence gathering about a group like the JuD that has involvements in regional conflicts and affects Pakistan&rsquo;s foreign policy (which is also controlled by the establishment). 
&nbsp; 
But the military has even larger goals for the JuD &ndash; the MML (which I had mentioned earlier).&nbsp;

A few months ago, when the MML was being formed, a recently retired military general confided to the media that there was a plan by the Pakistan Army to mainstream militant groups into politics. While the idea was initially pushed with the clarification that this was the only way to de-radicalise such groups, it now seems the motives of the architects of the plan are quite different. 
&nbsp; 
The general elections in Pakistan are near and Nawaz Sharif has been on the warpath with the Pakistan Army ever since he was disqualified over the Panama Papers allegations.&nbsp;

Sharif alleges the military engineered his ouster and that there was no fair trial, and many agree with him.&nbsp;

Given that Sharif has been the one who is a big proponent of normalising relations with India, experts say the army does not want this, since no-conflict-with-India will reduce the relevance the military enjoys as the defender of Pakistan from a perceived Indian threat.

And so to stop Sharif&rsquo;s party &ndash; the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) &ndash; from being re-elected, the MML has been launched. The MML shares a voter-base with PML-N and will definitely dent its vote bank.&nbsp;

We saw an example of this in the recent Lahore city by-elections in NA-120, the seat where Sharif was disqualified from. The MML&#39;s performance was exceptional, and PML-N&#39;s Kulsoom Nawaz, Sharif&#39;s wife, did not win by the same percentage margin that Sharif did the last time. 
&nbsp; 
For now there are indications that the provincial government will make an attempt at issuing fresh orders of detention for Saeed but even if they manage to contain him, it is only a matter of time before the next order of freedom comes because there are power centres in the country that are more powerful than the civilian government. And if those powers want him out, no one can stop him from being a free man. 
&nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The author writes here in a personal capacity).

The judges have repeatedly asked the government for evidence to ensure Saeed's continued captivity but the authorities has been unable to satisfy the courts

The Lahore High Court on Wednesday ordered the release of Jamat-ud-Dawa (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed, who has been under house arrest since January this year. During the nine months of his detention, the Pakistani government’s efforts at pursuing the case were at best lacklustre and seemed more cosmetic than anything, just like his house arrest during which he continued with his activities, and ran his charity organisation which many believe acts as a front and a reincarnation of the Lashkar-e-Taiba. The JuD chief even managed to launch a political party by the name of Milli Muslim League (MML), but I will come back to that later. First, more on the court case. The judges hearing the petition – filed by Hafiz Saeed’s lawyer who pleaded that there was no justification for Saeed’s arrest – repeatedly asked the government's representatives, prosecutors, and law enforcement officials to present evidence that would ensure Saeed's continued captivity but the federal and provincial authorities failed to satisfy the courts. Does the government have this evidence? From what we know, India claims to have provided enough evidence against Hafiz Saeed for his involvement in the Mumbai attacks of 2008, which left 166 people dead. Even the United States of America has put him on the Global Terrorist List. However, in Pakistan, Indian claims are rejected outright while American labelling is also seen as India managing to convince the US through successful propaganda and nothing more. But there is another side to why the government has not pursued this case as it should have – its hands are tied by a powerful military establishment that does not want to share intelligence with its civilian counterparts. In Pakistan, it is the military agencies that are thought to be responsible for domestic security affairs, especially when they concern intelligence gathering about a group like the JuD that has involvements in regional conflicts and affects Pakistan’s foreign policy (which is also controlled by the establishment). But the military has even larger goals for the JuD – the MML (which I had mentioned earlier). A few months ago, when the MML was being formed, a recently retired military general confided to the media that there was a plan by the Pakistan Army to mainstream militant groups into politics. While the idea was initially pushed with the clarification that this was the only way to de-radicalise such groups, it now seems the motives of the architects of the plan are quite different. The general elections in Pakistan are near and Nawaz Sharif has been on the warpath with the Pakistan Army ever since he was disqualified over the Panama Papers allegations. Sharif alleges the military engineered his ouster and that there was no fair trial, and many agree with him. Given that Sharif has been the one who is a big proponent of normalising relations with India, experts say the army does not want this, since no-conflict-with-India will reduce the relevance the military enjoys as the defender of Pakistan from a perceived Indian threat. And so to stop Sharif’s party – the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) – from being re-elected, the MML has been launched. The MML shares a voter-base with PML-N and will definitely dent its vote bank. We saw an example of this in the recent Lahore city by-elections in NA-120, the seat where Sharif was disqualified from. The MML's performance was exceptional, and PML-N's Kulsoom Nawaz, Sharif's wife, did not win by the same percentage margin that Sharif did the last time. For now there are indications that the provincial government will make an attempt at issuing fresh orders of detention for Saeed but even if they manage to contain him, it is only a matter of time before the next order of freedom comes because there are power centres in the country that are more powerful than the civilian government. And if those powers want him out, no one can stop him from being a free man. (Disclaimer: The author writes here in a personal capacity).

Opinion: If Pakistan Army wants, Hafiz Saeed will be a free man

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/hafiz-saeed-designated-global-terrorist-us-reminds-pakistan-24887">Hafiz Saeed &#39;designated global terrorist&#39;, US reminds Pakistan</a>

In May 2008, the United States had designated Saeed as a &quot;Specially Designated Global Terrorist&quot; under Executive Order 13224.

&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/major-quake-may-hit-north-india-chief-of-seismology-center-24882">Major quake may hit Uttarakhand: National Centre for Seismology</a>

In the past, the possibility of severe earthquakes in the region have been slim, however, smaller quakes have hit the area letting out energy which could lead to a massive jolt, Director of National Centre for Seismology said.

&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/rohingya-crisis-us-will-possibly-pursue-targeted-sanctions-against-myanmar-says-tillerson-24884">Rohingya crisis: </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/rohingya-crisis-us-will-possibly-pursue-targeted-sanctions-against-myanmar-says-tillerson-24884">US</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/rohingya-crisis-us-will-possibly-pursue-targeted-sanctions-against-myanmar-says-tillerson-24884"> will possibly pursue targeted sanctions against Myanmar, says Tillerson</a>

Tillerson who had visited Myanmar a fortnight ago had avoided using the term &quot;ethnic cleansing&quot; even as both the US and UN had slammed the Myanmar government over reported &quot;ethnic cleansing&quot; in Myanmar&#39;s Rakhine state.

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/switzerland-turns-down-baloch-leader-brahumdagh-bugtis-application-for-political-asylum-24886">Switzerland rejects Baloch leader Bugti&#39;s political asylum</a>

The decision was announced just a week after charging a lifetime entry ban on exiled Baloch leader Mehran Marri, Bugti&#39;s brother-in-law.

&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-assures-aid-to-argentina-over-missing-submarine-24885">Trump assures aid to Argentina over missing submarine</a>

&nbsp;US President Donald Trump has assured Argentina of all support and cooperation in finding the ARA San Juan submarine.&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

Tillerson who had visited Myanmar a fortnight ago had avoided using the term "ethnic cleansing" even as both the US and UN had slammed the Myanmar government

Hafiz Saeed 'designated global terrorist', US reminds Pakistan In May 2008, the United States had designated Saeed as a "Specially Designated Global Terrorist" under Executive Order 13224. Major quake may hit Uttarakhand: National Centre for Seismology In the past, the possibility of severe earthquakes in the region have been slim, however, smaller quakes have hit the area letting out energy which could lead to a massive jolt, Director of National Centre for Seismology said. Rohingya crisis: US will possibly pursue targeted sanctions against Myanmar, says Tillerson Tillerson who had visited Myanmar a fortnight ago had avoided using the term "ethnic cleansing" even as both the US and UN had slammed the Myanmar government over reported "ethnic cleansing" in Myanmar's Rakhine state. Switzerland rejects Baloch leader Bugti's political asylum The decision was announced just a week after charging a lifetime entry ban on exiled Baloch leader Mehran Marri, Bugti's brother-in-law. Trump assures aid to Argentina over missing submarine US President Donald Trump has assured Argentina of all support and cooperation in finding the ARA San Juan submarine.

WION morning news brief, November 23, 2017

India on Thursday&nbsp;expressed &quot;outrage&quot; over Mumbai terror attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed&#39;s<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/hafiz-saeed-will-walk-free-tonight-lawyer-24959"> imminent release from detention</a> and dubbed it as an attempt by Pakistan to &quot;mainstream&quot; UN-proscribed terrorists.

The Ministry of External Affairs said this confirms the &quot;lack of seriousness&quot; on Pakistan&#39;s part in bringing terrorists to justice and its nefarious designs to shield and support non-state actors.

&quot;India, as indeed, the entire international community is outraged that a self-confessed and UN-proscribed terrorist is being allowed to walk free and continue with his evil agenda,&quot; MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar told a press conference here.

Describing Saeed as the &quot;prime organiser&quot; of the November 26, 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, Raveesh Kumar said the banned Jamaat- ud-Dawah (JuD) head is also responsible for unleashing numerous other terror attacks against Pakistan&#39;s neighbours.

&quot;His release confirms once again the lack of seriousness on the part of the Pakistani government in bringing to justice perpetrators of heinous acts of terror, including by individuals and entities designated by the UN.

&quot;It also appears to be an attempt by the Pakistani system to mainstream proscribed terrorists. It is evident that Pakistan has not changed its policy of shielding and supporting non-state actors and its true face is for all to see,&quot; Kumar said.

Hafiz Saeed will soon walk free after a Pakistani judicial body yesterday ordered his release from house arrest, in a setback to India&#39;s efforts to bring to justice the perpetrators of the 2008 Mumbai attacks.

The banned Jamaat-ud-Dawah head, who carries a bounty of USD 10 million announced by the US for his role in terror activities, has been under detention since January.

Responding to a separate query, Raveesh Kumar said India has sought sovereign guarantee from Pakistan on the safety and security of Kulbhushan Jadhav&#39;s wife if she visits that country.

Earlier this month, Pakistan said that it will allow convicted Indian death row prisoner Jadhav to meet his wife, months after India had requested Islamabad to grant a visa to his mother on humanitarian grounds.

India's Ministry of External Affairs said this confirmed a 'lack of seriousness' on Pakistan's part in bringing terrorists to justice

India on Thursday expressed "outrage" over Mumbai terror attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed's imminent release from detention and dubbed it as an attempt by Pakistan to "mainstream" UN-proscribed terrorists. The Ministry of External Affairs said this confirms the "lack of seriousness" on Pakistan's part in bringing terrorists to justice and its nefarious designs to shield and support non-state actors. "India, as indeed, the entire international community is outraged that a self-confessed and UN-proscribed terrorist is being allowed to walk free and continue with his evil agenda," MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar told a press conference here. Describing Saeed as the "prime organiser" of the November 26, 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, Raveesh Kumar said the banned Jamaat- ud-Dawah (JuD) head is also responsible for unleashing numerous other terror attacks against Pakistan's neighbours. "His release confirms once again the lack of seriousness on the part of the Pakistani government in bringing to justice perpetrators of heinous acts of terror, including by individuals and entities designated by the UN. "It also appears to be an attempt by the Pakistani system to mainstream proscribed terrorists. It is evident that Pakistan has not changed its policy of shielding and supporting non-state actors and its true face is for all to see," Kumar said. Hafiz Saeed will soon walk free after a Pakistani judicial body yesterday ordered his release from house arrest, in a setback to India's efforts to bring to justice the perpetrators of the 2008 Mumbai attacks. The banned Jamaat-ud-Dawah head, who carries a bounty of USD 10 million announced by the US for his role in terror activities, has been under detention since January. Responding to a separate query, Raveesh Kumar said India has sought sovereign guarantee from Pakistan on the safety and security of Kulbhushan Jadhav's wife if she visits that country. Earlier this month, Pakistan said that it will allow convicted Indian death row prisoner Jadhav to meet his wife, months after India had requested Islamabad to grant a visa to his mother on humanitarian grounds.

Hafiz Saeed's release an attempt by Pakistan to 'mainstream' UN-proscribed terrorists: India

Mumbai attack mastermind and banned Jamaat-ud-Dawah (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed will walk free tonight if the Pakistan government does not detain him in any other case, his lawyer said today.

The JuD head, who carries a bounty of USD 10 million announced by the US for his role in terror activities, has been under detention since January this year.

The Judicial Review Board of Punjab province comprising judges of the Lahore High Court yesterday unanimously ordered Saeed&#39;s release on the completion of his 30-day house arrest which will expire midnight.

&quot;Saeed will walk free after midnight if the government does not detain him in any other case. We fear that the Punjab government may detain Saeed in any other case,&quot; Saeed&#39;s counsel Advocate AK Dogar told PTI.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/opinion-if-pakistan-army-wants-nothing-can-stop-hafiz-saeed-from-being-a-free-man-24881" target="_blank">Opinion: If Pakistan Army wants, Hafiz Saeed will be a free man</a>

He said a large number of JuD workers have gathered outside Saeed&#39;s residence in Jauhar Town Lahore to welcome him on his release tonight.

The fire-brand cleric&#39;s release may also coincide with the 9th anniversary of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks in which 166 people were killed.

On the other hand, sources in the home department of the Punjab government are insisting that Saeed will not be released as he is being booked in another case.

&quot;The JuD chief was illegally detained for 297 days. Hafiz Saeed always worked for Pakistan and the government could not prove any allegation against him,&quot; Dogar had said yesterday.

He had warned that they will move the court without any delay if the government does not comply with the order of the judicial board and set him free.

On January 31, Saeed and his four aides - Abdullah Ubaid, Malik Zafar Iqbal, Abdul Rehman Abid and Qazi Kashif Hussain - were detained by the Punjab government for 90 days under Anti-Terrorism Act 1997 and the&nbsp;

Fourth Schedule of Anti- Terrorism Act 1997. However, the last two extensions were made on the &#39;public safety law&#39;.

The board refused to give further extension to the detention of Saeed&#39;s aides. They were set free last month.

Under the law, the government can detain a person for up to three months under different charges but for extension to that detention it needs approval from a judicial review board.

The JuD is believed to be the front organisation for the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) which is responsible for carrying out the Mumbai attack.

Saeed was put under house arrest after Mumbai terror attacks in November 2008 but he was freed by court in 2009.

India has repeatedly asked Pakistan to re-investigate the Mumbai terror attack case and also demanded trial of Saeed and Lashkar-e-Taiba operations commander Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi in the light of evidence it had provided to Islamabad.

The Ministry of External Affairs today said Saeed&#39;s release confirms the &quot;lack of seriousness&quot; on Pakistan&#39;s part in bringing terrorists to justice and its nefarious designs to shield and support non-state actors.

&quot;India, as indeed, the entire international community is outraged that a selk-confessed and UN-proscribed terrorist is being allowed to walk free and continue with his evil agenda,&quot; MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said in New Delhi.

Ten LeT militants killed 166 people and wounded dozens in Mumbai in November, 2008. Nine of the attackers were killed by police while lone survivor Ajmal Kasab was caught.

Kasab was executed after a court found him guilty and handed down death sentence.&nbsp;

'Saeed will walk free after midnight if the government does not detain him in any other case,' Saeed's lawyer AK Dogar said

Mumbai attack mastermind and banned Jamaat-ud-Dawah (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed will walk free tonight if the Pakistan government does not detain him in any other case, his lawyer said today. The JuD head, who carries a bounty of USD 10 million announced by the US for his role in terror activities, has been under detention since January this year. The Judicial Review Board of Punjab province comprising judges of the Lahore High Court yesterday unanimously ordered Saeed's release on the completion of his 30-day house arrest which will expire midnight. "Saeed will walk free after midnight if the government does not detain him in any other case. We fear that the Punjab government may detain Saeed in any other case," Saeed's counsel Advocate AK Dogar told PTI. Opinion: If Pakistan Army wants, Hafiz Saeed will be a free man He said a large number of JuD workers have gathered outside Saeed's residence in Jauhar Town Lahore to welcome him on his release tonight. The fire-brand cleric's release may also coincide with the 9th anniversary of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks in which 166 people were killed. On the other hand, sources in the home department of the Punjab government are insisting that Saeed will not be released as he is being booked in another case. "The JuD chief was illegally detained for 297 days. Hafiz Saeed always worked for Pakistan and the government could not prove any allegation against him," Dogar had said yesterday. He had warned that they will move the court without any delay if the government does not comply with the order of the judicial board and set him free. On January 31, Saeed and his four aides - Abdullah Ubaid, Malik Zafar Iqbal, Abdul Rehman Abid and Qazi Kashif Hussain - were detained by the Punjab government for 90 days under Anti-Terrorism Act 1997 and the Fourth Schedule of Anti- Terrorism Act 1997. However, the last two extensions were made on the 'public safety law'. The board refused to give further extension to the detention of Saeed's aides. They were set free last month. Under the law, the government can detain a person for up to three months under different charges but for extension to that detention it needs approval from a judicial review board. The JuD is believed to be the front organisation for the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) which is responsible for carrying out the Mumbai attack. Saeed was put under house arrest after Mumbai terror attacks in November 2008 but he was freed by court in 2009. India has repeatedly asked Pakistan to re-investigate the Mumbai terror attack case and also demanded trial of Saeed and Lashkar-e-Taiba operations commander Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi in the light of evidence it had provided to Islamabad. The Ministry of External Affairs today said Saeed's release confirms the "lack of seriousness" on Pakistan's part in bringing terrorists to justice and its nefarious designs to shield and support non-state actors. "India, as indeed, the entire international community is outraged that a selk-confessed and UN-proscribed terrorist is being allowed to walk free and continue with his evil agenda," MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said in New Delhi. Ten LeT militants killed 166 people and wounded dozens in Mumbai in November, 2008. Nine of the attackers were killed by police while lone survivor Ajmal Kasab was caught. Kasab was executed after a court found him guilty and handed down death sentence.

Hafiz Saeed will walk free tonight: Lawyer

Hafiz Saeed is to be released from house arrest in Pakistan after a&nbsp;&nbsp;Judicial Review Board of Pakistan&#39;s Punjab province refused Wednesday to extend his detention&nbsp; for another three months. 
&nbsp;

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Lahore Court refuses to extend house detention of terrorist Hafiz Saeed: Pakistan media <a href="https://t.co/66qvz3LZVC">pic.twitter.com/66qvz3LZVC</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/933279281014235136?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 22, 2017</a></blockquote>
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&quot;Review board has not found any satisfactory evidence for Hafiz Saeed so it has instructed the government to release him henceforth,&quot; Saeed&#39;s lawyer AK Dogar said.&nbsp;

The board had last month allowed a 30-day extension to the detention of Saeed which will expire next week. 
 
Saeed is a founder of the Lashkar-e-Taiba and has been blamed for the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.&nbsp;

On January 31, Saeed and his four aides - Abdullah Ubaid, Malik Zafar Iqbal, Abdul Rehman Abid and Qazi Kashif Hussain - were detained by the Punjab government for 90 days under the Anti-Terrorism Act 1997 and the Fourth Schedule of Anti-errorism Act 1997.

Saeed&#39;s four aides were set free in the last week of October.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-may-face-international-sanctions-if-hafiz-sayeed-is-released-pak-govt-to-judicial-body-24796" target="_blank">Pakistan may face international sanctions if Hafiz Sayeed is released: Pak govt to judicial body</a>

(With inputs from PTI)

A Lahore court refused to extend his detention

Hafiz Saeed is to be released from house arrest in Pakistan after a Judicial Review Board of Pakistan's Punjab province refused Wednesday to extend his detention for another three months. Lahore Court refuses to extend house detention of terrorist Hafiz Saeed: Pakistan media pic.twitter.com/66qvz3LZVC — ANI (@ANI) November 22, 2017 × "Review board has not found any satisfactory evidence for Hafiz Saeed so it has instructed the government to release him henceforth," Saeed's lawyer AK Dogar said. The board had last month allowed a 30-day extension to the detention of Saeed which will expire next week. Saeed is a founder of the Lashkar-e-Taiba and has been blamed for the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. On January 31, Saeed and his four aides - Abdullah Ubaid, Malik Zafar Iqbal, Abdul Rehman Abid and Qazi Kashif Hussain - were detained by the Punjab government for 90 days under the Anti-Terrorism Act 1997 and the Fourth Schedule of Anti-errorism Act 1997. Saeed's four aides were set free in the last week of October. Pakistan may face international sanctions if Hafiz Sayeed is released: Pak govt to judicial body (With inputs from PTI)

Hafiz Saeed to be released from house arrest in Pakistan

A Judicial Review Board of Pakistan&#39;s Punjab province today ordered the release of Mumbai attack mastermind and banned Jamaat-ud-Dawah (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed, who has been under house arrest since January. 
 
Rejecting the government&#39;s plea to extend his detention for another three months, the board ordered Saeed&#39;s release. 
 
&quot;The government is ordered to release JuD chief Hafiz Saeed if he is not wanted in any other case,&quot; the board said. 
 
Last month, the board had allowed a 30-day extension to the detention of Saeed which will expire next week. 
 
The board&#39;s order paves the way for Saeed&#39;s release. 
 
On January 31, Saeed and his four aides - Abdullah Ubaid, Malik Zafar Iqbal, Abdul Rehman Abid and Qazi Kashif Hussain - were detained by the Punjab government for 90 days under the Anti-Terrorism Act 1997 and the Fourth Schedule of Anti- Terrorism Act 1997. 
 
Saeed&#39;s four aides were set free in the last week of October. 
 
The US has offered a USD 10 million bounty for Saaed. 
 
The JuD is believed to be the front organisation for the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) which is responsible for carrying out the 2008 Mumbai attack.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Rejecting the government's plea to extend his detention for another three months, the Judicial Review Board ordered Saeed's release

A Judicial Review Board of Pakistan's Punjab province today ordered the release of Mumbai attack mastermind and banned Jamaat-ud-Dawah (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed, who has been under house arrest since January. Rejecting the government's plea to extend his detention for another three months, the board ordered Saeed's release. "The government is ordered to release JuD chief Hafiz Saeed if he is not wanted in any other case," the board said. Last month, the board had allowed a 30-day extension to the detention of Saeed which will expire next week. The board's order paves the way for Saeed's release. On January 31, Saeed and his four aides - Abdullah Ubaid, Malik Zafar Iqbal, Abdul Rehman Abid and Qazi Kashif Hussain - were detained by the Punjab government for 90 days under the Anti-Terrorism Act 1997 and the Fourth Schedule of Anti- Terrorism Act 1997. Saeed's four aides were set free in the last week of October. The US has offered a USD 10 million bounty for Saaed. The JuD is believed to be the front organisation for the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) which is responsible for carrying out the 2008 Mumbai attack.

Pakistan's judicial body orders release of Hafiz Saeed

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/hafiz-saeed-released-no-longer-under-house-arrest-in-pakistan-24840">Hafiz Saeed to be released from house arrest in Pakistan</a>

Hafiz Saeed is to be released from house arrest in Pakistan after a &nbsp;Judicial Review Board of Pakistan&#39;s Punjab province refused Wednesday to extend his detention for another three months.

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Padmavati will not be screened in Gujarat. The chief minister of the state, Vijay Rupani, on Wednesday, stated that the home department of the state had decided to ban the film to avoid breakdown of law and order in the state which is headed for an election.&nbsp;

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India successfully test-fired the supersonic cruise missile BrahMos from the Indian Air Force&#39;s Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter jet for the first time today. The test-flight will significantly increase the IAF&#39;s air combat operations capability, the defence ministry said.

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UN judges Wednesday sentenced former Bosnian Serbian commander Ratko Mladic to life imprisonment after finding him guilty of genocide and war crimes in the brutal Balkans conflicts over two decades ago.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/china-slams-wrong-us-sanctions-on-north-korea-tied-chinese-firms-24838">China slams &#39;wrong&#39; US sanctions on North Korea-tied Chinese firms</a>

China on Wednesday rejected new United States sanctions targeting Chinese traders doing business with North Korea as &quot;wrong&quot;, stressing that it has enforced UN sanctions over Pyongyang&#39;s nuclear provocations.

Hafiz Saeed to be released from house arrest in Pakistan Hafiz Saeed is to be released from house arrest in Pakistan after a Judicial Review Board of Pakistan's Punjab province refused Wednesday to extend his detention for another three months. Padmavati row: After Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat bans the film Padmavati will not be screened in Gujarat. The chief minister of the state, Vijay Rupani, on Wednesday, stated that the home department of the state had decided to ban the film to avoid breakdown of law and order in the state which is headed for an election. Watch: India successfully test-fires BrahMos missile from Sukhoi-30 fighter jet India successfully test-fired the supersonic cruise missile BrahMos from the Indian Air Force's Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter jet for the first time today. The test-flight will significantly increase the IAF's air combat operations capability, the defence ministry said. Ratklo Mladic, 'Butcher of Bosnia', sentenced to life for genocide UN judges Wednesday sentenced former Bosnian Serbian commander Ratko Mladic to life imprisonment after finding him guilty of genocide and war crimes in the brutal Balkans conflicts over two decades ago. China slams 'wrong' US sanctions on North Korea-tied Chinese firms China on Wednesday rejected new United States sanctions targeting Chinese traders doing business with North Korea as "wrong", stressing that it has enforced UN sanctions over Pyongyang's nuclear provocations.

WION evening news brief, November 22, 2017

A Pakistani judicial board will decide on November 22 whether to extend JuD chief and the 2008 Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed&#39;s house arrest or not, a court was told today.

A law officer of the Punjab provincial government during the hearing in Saeed&#39;s house arrest case told Lahore High Court Judge Qazi Amin Ahmed that the Punjab Judicial Review Board would decide this matter on November 21.

The LHC held the hearing on a petition filed by Saeed challenging the October 24 order of the Punjab&#39;s Home Department to extend his detention for another one month under a public safety law.

The court in the last hearing had issued a notice to the provincial government seeking reply on Saeed&#39;s detention. Accepting the law officer&#39;s request the LHC adjourned the hearing for November 22.

Last month, the Punjab Judicial Review Board had extended by 30-days Saeed&#39;s detention which will expire by the last week of this month.

On January 31, Saeed and his four aides Abdullah Ubaid, Malik Zafar Iqbal, Abdul Rehman Abid and Qazi Kashif Hussain were detained by the Punjab government for 90 days under the Anti-Terrorism Act 1997. However, the last two extensions to his detention were made on the &#39;public safety law&#39;.

The board refused to extend the detention of Saeed&#39;s four aides. They were later set free in the last week of October.

Under the law, the government can detain a person for up to three months under different charges but to extend the detention, it needs approval from a judicial review board.

The JuD is believed to be the front organisation for the banned Lashkar- e-Taiba (LeT) which is responsible for carrying out the 2008 Mumbai attack.

The US has offered $10 million bounty for Saeed for his alleged role in the Mumbai attack.

A law officer of the Punjab provincial government during the hearing in Saeed's house arrest case told Lahore High Court Judge Qazi Amin Ahmed that the Punjab Judicial Review Board would decide this matter on November 21

A Pakistani judicial board will decide on November 22 whether to extend JuD chief and the 2008 Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed's house arrest or not, a court was told today. A law officer of the Punjab provincial government during the hearing in Saeed's house arrest case told Lahore High Court Judge Qazi Amin Ahmed that the Punjab Judicial Review Board would decide this matter on November 21. The LHC held the hearing on a petition filed by Saeed challenging the October 24 order of the Punjab's Home Department to extend his detention for another one month under a public safety law. The court in the last hearing had issued a notice to the provincial government seeking reply on Saeed's detention. Accepting the law officer's request the LHC adjourned the hearing for November 22. Last month, the Punjab Judicial Review Board had extended by 30-days Saeed's detention which will expire by the last week of this month. On January 31, Saeed and his four aides Abdullah Ubaid, Malik Zafar Iqbal, Abdul Rehman Abid and Qazi Kashif Hussain were detained by the Punjab government for 90 days under the Anti-Terrorism Act 1997. However, the last two extensions to his detention were made on the 'public safety law'. The board refused to extend the detention of Saeed's four aides. They were later set free in the last week of October. Under the law, the government can detain a person for up to three months under different charges but to extend the detention, it needs approval from a judicial review board. The JuD is believed to be the front organisation for the banned Lashkar- e-Taiba (LeT) which is responsible for carrying out the 2008 Mumbai attack. The US has offered $10 million bounty for Saeed for his alleged role in the Mumbai attack.

Pakistan judicial board to decide next week on Saeed's detention case

Pakistani authorities have written to the Punjab home department asking it to take stringent measures for the security of detained Mumbai attacks mastermind Hafiz Saeed, claiming a &quot;foreign intelligence agency&quot; had planned to kill him.&nbsp;

In the letter, the National Counter Terrorism Authority said the foreign spy agency had paid Rs&nbsp;80 million to two activists of a banned outfit for the assassination of Saeed.

It asked the Punjab home department to ensure foolproof security for the Jamat-ud-Dawah (JuD) chief.

Saeed has been under house arrest in Lahore since January 30 under the Anti-Terrorism Act 1997.

The home department last month had extended his detention for another 30 days (till November 26) under public safety law.

The department&#39;s notification had said, &quot;There is apprehension that Saeed shall create a law and order situation upon release&quot;.

The JuD has already been declared as a foreign terrorist organisation by the US in June 2014. The JuD chief carries a reward of USD 10 million announced by the US for his role in terror activities.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Pakistani authorities have written to the Punjab home department asking it to take stringent measures for the security of the detained Mumbai attacks mastermind

Pakistani authorities have written to the Punjab home department asking it to take stringent measures for the security of detained Mumbai attacks mastermind Hafiz Saeed, claiming a "foreign intelligence agency" had planned to kill him. In the letter, the National Counter Terrorism Authority said the foreign spy agency had paid Rs 80 million to two activists of a banned outfit for the assassination of Saeed. It asked the Punjab home department to ensure foolproof security for the Jamat-ud-Dawah (JuD) chief. Saeed has been under house arrest in Lahore since January 30 under the Anti-Terrorism Act 1997. The home department last month had extended his detention for another 30 days (till November 26) under public safety law. The department's notification had said, "There is apprehension that Saeed shall create a law and order situation upon release". The JuD has already been declared as a foreign terrorist organisation by the US in June 2014. The JuD chief carries a reward of USD 10 million announced by the US for his role in terror activities.

Foreign intelligence agency plans to kill Hafiz Saeed: Pakistan

Mumbai attack mastermind and banned Jamaat-ud-Dawah (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed&#39;s name was not on a list of 75 militants the US had handed over to Pakistan, Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif said today.

Saeed, who carries a USD 10 million bounty on his head for his role in terror activities, has been under house arrest in Pakistan since January this year.

Foreign Minister Asif told senators during a session of the parliament&#39;s upper house that the US has handed over a list of 75 militants to Pakistan.

&quot;The Haqqani network is on the top of the list but none of the militants are Pakistanis,&quot; Asif was quoted as saying by Express News.

Saeed, a Pakistani citizen, headed the JuD which was listed as a foreign terrorist organisation by the US in 2014.

The JuD is the front for the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terror outfit which is responsible for numerous terror attacks in India, including the Mumbai terror strike of 2008.

The Afghan-based Haqqani network has carried out a number of kidnappings and attacks against US interests in Afghanistan. The group is also blamed for several attacks against Indian interests in Afghanistan, including the 2008 bombing of the Indian mission in Kabul that killed 58 people.

The US, Asif said, had made a habit of handing over lists of wanted people to Pakistan, which traded them for favours, a matter that needed to be debated.

He said the US had been told that Pakistan no longer had influence over the Afghan Taliban as it did in the past.

&quot;Neither are we supporting them (Afghan Taliban), nor do they need our help,&quot; Asif told the senators during a session of the parliament&#39;s upper house.

&quot;Somebody else is sponsoring them now,&quot; he added, without elaborating on it.

Asif asserted that many of the key Taliban names were now shadow governors in Afghanistan or no longer alive.

On his maiden visit to Pakistan yesterday, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson renewed the US demand for tough action against Afghan Taliban and the Haqqani network.

The US handed over a list of 75 militants, Pakistan's Foreign Minister Khwaja Asif said. Hafiz Saeed's name was not on it

Mumbai attack mastermind and banned Jamaat-ud-Dawah (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed's name was not on a list of 75 militants the US had handed over to Pakistan, Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif said today. Saeed, who carries a USD 10 million bounty on his head for his role in terror activities, has been under house arrest in Pakistan since January this year. Foreign Minister Asif told senators during a session of the parliament's upper house that the US has handed over a list of 75 militants to Pakistan. "The Haqqani network is on the top of the list but none of the militants are Pakistanis," Asif was quoted as saying by Express News. Saeed, a Pakistani citizen, headed the JuD which was listed as a foreign terrorist organisation by the US in 2014. The JuD is the front for the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terror outfit which is responsible for numerous terror attacks in India, including the Mumbai terror strike of 2008. The Afghan-based Haqqani network has carried out a number of kidnappings and attacks against US interests in Afghanistan. The group is also blamed for several attacks against Indian interests in Afghanistan, including the 2008 bombing of the Indian mission in Kabul that killed 58 people. The US, Asif said, had made a habit of handing over lists of wanted people to Pakistan, which traded them for favours, a matter that needed to be debated. He said the US had been told that Pakistan no longer had influence over the Afghan Taliban as it did in the past. "Neither are we supporting them (Afghan Taliban), nor do they need our help," Asif told the senators during a session of the parliament's upper house. "Somebody else is sponsoring them now," he added, without elaborating on it. Asif asserted that many of the key Taliban names were now shadow governors in Afghanistan or no longer alive. On his maiden visit to Pakistan yesterday, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson renewed the US demand for tough action against Afghan Taliban and the Haqqani network.

Hafiz Saeed's name not on list of militants handed over by US: Pak

Mumbai attack mastermind and banned Jamaat-ud-Dawah chief Hafiz Saeed&#39;s house arrest was today extended for another 30 days by a Judicial Review Board of Pakistan&#39;s Punjab province.

However, the board refused to allow the same in the detention of his four aides.

The 30-day detention will be applicable from October 24.

Saeed&#39;s aides - Abdullah Ubaid, Malik Zafar Iqbal, Abdul Rehman Abid and Qazi Kashif Hussain - may walk out free on the expiry of their September 25 detention order if they are not detained in any other case.

Saeed and his four accomplices were presented before the provincial judicial review board today amid high security in the Lahore high court.

A good number of his supporters were present at the court&#39;s premises who showered rose petals on him and his aides. Police, however, stopped them from chanting slogans in the favour of their leader.

The three-member Punjab Judicial Review Board comprising Justice Yawar Ali (head), Justice Abdul Sami and Justice Alia Neelam held the hearing.

A court official told after the hearing that the Home Department of Punjab government had sought three months extension to the detention of Saeed and others under public safety law.

&quot;The judicial board after listening to the arguments of the government&#39;s&nbsp;law officer did not entertain his request and only granted a 30-day extension to Saeed&#39;s&nbsp;house arrest in Lahore,&quot; he said.

The board also could not be convinced about keeping Saeed&#39;s&nbsp;four aides in detention beyond the expiry of September 25 detention order for a month and dismissed the government&#39;s plea for further extension of their detention, he said.

The government may arrest Saeed&#39;s four aides in any other case on expiry of their detention period in last week of this month, the official added.&nbsp;

However, the board refused to allow the same in the detention of his four aides. The 30-day detention will be applicable from October 24.

Mumbai attack mastermind and banned Jamaat-ud-Dawah chief Hafiz Saeed's house arrest was today extended for another 30 days by a Judicial Review Board of Pakistan's Punjab province. However, the board refused to allow the same in the detention of his four aides. The 30-day detention will be applicable from October 24. Saeed's aides - Abdullah Ubaid, Malik Zafar Iqbal, Abdul Rehman Abid and Qazi Kashif Hussain - may walk out free on the expiry of their September 25 detention order if they are not detained in any other case. Saeed and his four accomplices were presented before the provincial judicial review board today amid high security in the Lahore high court. A good number of his supporters were present at the court's premises who showered rose petals on him and his aides. Police, however, stopped them from chanting slogans in the favour of their leader. The three-member Punjab Judicial Review Board comprising Justice Yawar Ali (head), Justice Abdul Sami and Justice Alia Neelam held the hearing. A court official told after the hearing that the Home Department of Punjab government had sought three months extension to the detention of Saeed and others under public safety law. "The judicial board after listening to the arguments of the government's law officer did not entertain his request and only granted a 30-day extension to Saeed's house arrest in Lahore," he said. The board also could not be convinced about keeping Saeed's four aides in detention beyond the expiry of September 25 detention order for a month and dismissed the government's plea for further extension of their detention, he said. The government may arrest Saeed's four aides in any other case on expiry of their detention period in last week of this month, the official added.

Hafiz Saeed's house arrest extended by 30 days

Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed&#39;s house arrest will be set aside if the Pakistan government does not submit evidence against him, a top court here has warned.

Saeed, the Jamaat-ud-Dawa chief, is under house arrest since January 31.

The Lahore High Court (LHC) yesterday heard a plea against his detention. The interior secretary was supposed to appear before the court along with complete record of the case related to his detention along with four others.

Irked by the absence of the interior secretary during the proceedings, the LHC observed that &quot;no citizen can be detained for an extended period on the basis of merely press clippings&quot;.

&quot;The conduct of the government shows it has no substantial evidence against the petitioners. The detention of the petitioners will be set aside if no concrete evidence is presented before the court,&quot; Justice Syed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi said.

Another official of the interior ministry accompanied by a deputy attorney general told the court that the secretary could not attend the proceedings due to unavoidable official responsibilities in Islamabad. The law officer sought time to file a reply to the petition.

Justice Naqvi regretted that an army of officers was assigned to protect one government personality but not a single officer was available to assist the court.

Lamenting repeated requests for adjournment, the judge said the law officers wanted courts to stop working.The judge adjourned hearing till October 13.

Saeed&#39;s advocate A K Dogar argued that the government detained the JuD leaders on the basis of apprehensions and hearsay. He said under the law no presumption and assumption could give rise to any apprehension unless it was supported by evidence.

Punjab government had already told the court that activities of JuD leaders, if released, would pose a great threat to public safety and can cause a breach of public order.

Saeed and his four aides - Abdullah Ubaid, Malik Zafar Iqbal, Abdul Rehman Abid and Qazi Kashif Hussain - have been placed under house arrest in Lahore under the anti-terrorism act.

On September 25, the house arrest of Saeed and others was extended for another 30 days by the Punjab government.

The JuD has been declared as a foreign terrorist organisation by the United States in June 2014.

The US has announced a $10 million bounty on Saeed&#39;s head for his role in terror activities.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Irked by the absence of the interior secretary during the proceedings, the LHC observed that "no citizen can be detained for an extended period on the basis of merely press clippings"

Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed's house arrest will be set aside if the Pakistan government does not submit evidence against him, a top court here has warned. Saeed, the Jamaat-ud-Dawa chief, is under house arrest since January 31. The Lahore High Court (LHC) yesterday heard a plea against his detention. The interior secretary was supposed to appear before the court along with complete record of the case related to his detention along with four others. Irked by the absence of the interior secretary during the proceedings, the LHC observed that "no citizen can be detained for an extended period on the basis of merely press clippings". "The conduct of the government shows it has no substantial evidence against the petitioners. The detention of the petitioners will be set aside if no concrete evidence is presented before the court," Justice Syed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi said. Another official of the interior ministry accompanied by a deputy attorney general told the court that the secretary could not attend the proceedings due to unavoidable official responsibilities in Islamabad. The law officer sought time to file a reply to the petition. Justice Naqvi regretted that an army of officers was assigned to protect one government personality but not a single officer was available to assist the court. Lamenting repeated requests for adjournment, the judge said the law officers wanted courts to stop working.The judge adjourned hearing till October 13. Saeed's advocate A K Dogar argued that the government detained the JuD leaders on the basis of apprehensions and hearsay. He said under the law no presumption and assumption could give rise to any apprehension unless it was supported by evidence. Punjab government had already told the court that activities of JuD leaders, if released, would pose a great threat to public safety and can cause a breach of public order. Saeed and his four aides - Abdullah Ubaid, Malik Zafar Iqbal, Abdul Rehman Abid and Qazi Kashif Hussain - have been placed under house arrest in Lahore under the anti-terrorism act. On September 25, the house arrest of Saeed and others was extended for another 30 days by the Punjab government. The JuD has been declared as a foreign terrorist organisation by the United States in June 2014. The US has announced a $10 million bounty on Saeed's head for his role in terror activities.

Hafiz Saeed will be released from house arrest if govt does not submit evidence: Pakistan court

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chairman Imran Khan took a shot at Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif on the social media platform Twitter for his recent comments regarding Hafiz Saeed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and the Haqqani network.

In a chain of tweets, Khan claimed that Dawn Leaks was a &ldquo;deliberate attempt by PMLN&rdquo; to target Pakistan&rsquo;s military. He further alleged that the &ldquo;Sharifs and their cronies&rdquo; were desperate to appease Indo-US lobby.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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Now evident that DawnLeaks was a deliberate attempt by PMLN to target Pak mly at a time when it is fighting our enemies on multiple fronts <a href="https://t.co/pp9ecmNbEU">pic.twitter.com/pp9ecmNbEU</a>
&mdash; Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ImranKhanPTI/status/913282295280406528?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 28, 2017</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

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Sharifs &amp; their cronies desperate to appease Indo-US lobby &amp; interests as their loot/properties all stashed away in West. <a href="https://t.co/LJiX6eEoHx">https://t.co/LJiX6eEoHx</a>
&mdash; Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ImranKhanPTI/status/913282792158580738?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 28, 2017</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

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Their continuous targeting of our armed forces continues today as part of this Indo-US appeasement. No concern for Pak lives sacrificed <a href="https://t.co/RaqQAMx9PS">https://t.co/RaqQAMx9PS</a>
&mdash; Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ImranKhanPTI/status/913283372868304896?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 28, 2017</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

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Kh Asif&#39;s comments of ownership of militant gps coming from a Foreign Min undermining Pak security. With such a FM, who needs enemies? <a href="https://t.co/2fAqxMUHYh">https://t.co/2fAqxMUHYh</a>
&mdash; Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ImranKhanPTI/status/913284081592537089?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 28, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Pakistan&#39;s foreign minister Khawaja Asif, in an attempt to clarify Pakitan&#39;s position, asked the international community to stop accusing the country of the presence of Haqqani Network and Hafiz Saeed. He claimed that these &quot;terrorists&quot; were the &quot;darlings&quot; of the United States a few decades ago.

&quot;Don&#39;t blame us for the Haqqanis [the Haqqani Network] and don&#39;t blame us for the Hafiz Saeed, chief of banned Jamaat-ud-Dawa. These were the people who were your darlings just 20 to 30 years back. They were being dined and wined in the White House, and now, you say &#39;go to hell Pakistanis because you are nurturing these people,&quot; The Dawn quoted Asif saying at the Asia Society in New York.

&quot;It is very easy to say Pakistan is floating the Haqqanis and Hafiz Saeed and Lashkar-e-Taiba. They are liabilities. I accept that they are liabilities, but give us time to get rid of them, because we don&#39;t have the assets to match these liabilities and you are increasing our liabilities further,&quot; the foreging minister said.

Asif is attending the 72nd session of the UN General Assembly.

He also expressed Islamabad&#39;s eagerness to work alongside the US. &quot;Pakistan stands ready for effective management of the Afghan border to stop terrorist infiltration and to facilitate a peace settlement in Afghanistan,&quot; he said.

The US has previously blamed Pakistan for not taking compelling action against the Haqqani Network.

Washington states that the militant group has been operating out of &quot;Pakistan-based safe havens&quot; causing threat to the US and native forces in Afghanistan.

Asif said that Islamabad cannot be held responsible for the tensions in Afghanistan, claiming that peace cannot be established only through the strategy applied by the US and would require negotiated settlement.

&quot;Pakistan cannot owe responsibility for peace and security in Afghanistan, adding that effective border management with Afghanistan is imperative to stop the infiltration of terrorists,&quot; the News International quoted Asif, as saying while addressing the Asia Society in New York.

Asif said that the United States cannot succeed in Afghanistan by waging war, adding that for the last 16 years, it is clear that peace will not be restored by resorting to military force.

Asif reiterated that Pakistan wants peace in Afghanistan, but several Afghan leaders want the status quo to continue for their own vested interests

Pakistan's foreign minister Khawaja Asif, in an attempt to clarify Pakitan's position, asked the international community to stop accusing the country of the presence of Haqqani Network and Hafiz Saeed. He claimed that these terrorists were the 'darlings' of the United States a few decades ago

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chairman Imran Khan took a shot at Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif on the social media platform Twitter for his recent comments regarding Hafiz Saeed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and the Haqqani network. In a chain of tweets, Khan claimed that Dawn Leaks was a “deliberate attempt by PMLN” to target Pakistan’s military. He further alleged that the “Sharifs and their cronies” were desperate to appease Indo-US lobby. Now evident that DawnLeaks was a deliberate attempt by PMLN to target Pak mly at a time when it is fighting our enemies on multiple fronts pic.twitter.com/pp9ecmNbEU — Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) September 28, 2017 × Sharifs & their cronies desperate to appease Indo-US lobby & interests as their loot/properties all stashed away in West. https://t.co/LJiX6eEoHx — Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) September 28, 2017 × Their continuous targeting of our armed forces continues today as part of this Indo-US appeasement. No concern for Pak lives sacrificed https://t.co/RaqQAMx9PS — Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) September 28, 2017 × Kh Asif's comments of ownership of militant gps coming from a Foreign Min undermining Pak security. With such a FM, who needs enemies? https://t.co/2fAqxMUHYh — Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) September 28, 2017 × Pakistan's foreign minister Khawaja Asif, in an attempt to clarify Pakitan's position, asked the international community to stop accusing the country of the presence of Haqqani Network and Hafiz Saeed. He claimed that these "terrorists" were the "darlings" of the United States a few decades ago. "Don't blame us for the Haqqanis [the Haqqani Network] and don't blame us for the Hafiz Saeed, chief of banned Jamaat-ud-Dawa. These were the people who were your darlings just 20 to 30 years back. They were being dined and wined in the White House, and now, you say 'go to hell Pakistanis because you are nurturing these people," The Dawn quoted Asif saying at the Asia Society in New York. "It is very easy to say Pakistan is floating the Haqqanis and Hafiz Saeed and Lashkar-e-Taiba. They are liabilities. I accept that they are liabilities, but give us time to get rid of them, because we don't have the assets to match these liabilities and you are increasing our liabilities further," the foreging minister said. Asif is attending the 72nd session of the UN General Assembly. He also expressed Islamabad's eagerness to work alongside the US. "Pakistan stands ready for effective management of the Afghan border to stop terrorist infiltration and to facilitate a peace settlement in Afghanistan," he said. The US has previously blamed Pakistan for not taking compelling action against the Haqqani Network. Washington states that the militant group has been operating out of "Pakistan-based safe havens" causing threat to the US and native forces in Afghanistan. Asif said that Islamabad cannot be held responsible for the tensions in Afghanistan, claiming that peace cannot be established only through the strategy applied by the US and would require negotiated settlement. "Pakistan cannot owe responsibility for peace and security in Afghanistan, adding that effective border management with Afghanistan is imperative to stop the infiltration of terrorists," the News International quoted Asif, as saying while addressing the Asia Society in New York. Asif said that the United States cannot succeed in Afghanistan by waging war, adding that for the last 16 years, it is clear that peace will not be restored by resorting to military force. Asif reiterated that Pakistan wants peace in Afghanistan, but several Afghan leaders want the status quo to continue for their own vested interests

Imran Khan believes that Asif's comments undermine Pakistan's security

Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) chief and the mastermind of Mumbai terrorist attack Hafiz Muhammad Saeed has reportedly decided to launch his own political party in Pakistan by renaming his terrorist outfit JuD as Milli Muslim League Pakistan.

The JuD chief will register&nbsp;his political party with the Election Commission of Pakistan, media reports said.

He is likely to launch his political outfit on Pakistan&#39;s Independence Day at a function in Lahore.

Hafiz Saeed has been declared a wanted terrorist by India and the United States for his alleged role in masterminding the 2008 terror attacks in Mumbai that claimed 166 lives.&nbsp;

He even carries a bounty of 10 million USD (approx. Rs 66 crore) on his head for his role in the attack.

He is also reported to have close relations with the Pakistani Army and the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).

Reacting to the news, outgoing MEA spokesperson Gopal Bagley said, &quot;It appears person whose hands are stained with blood of innocent lives wants to hide his blood-stained hands behind ballot ink. The person who has traded in bullets to take human lives is now trying to hide behind ballots. That&#39;s a matter of concern.&quot;

On Friday, defence experts called on India to accelerate its initiative to declare Hafiz Saeed an international terrorist globally and Pakistan a terror state.

Defence expert Shivali Deshpande said that by Saeed getting approval to form a political party, Pakistan will declare itself a terror state.

&ldquo;I am very sure that the same people from Pakistan will definitely not vote him to power after knowing that fact that Hafiz Saeed is an international terrorist. He has a bounty over his head he was the mastermind in many terrorist attacks which had taken place in India,&rdquo; she told ANI.

Deshpande said if the people of Pakistan vote Saeed to power, it will be proven that Pakistan is nothing but a rogue nation and it will walk on the footsteps of North Korea.

Another defence expert Sunil Deshpande said that with Hafiz Saeed coming to power, the entire world would&nbsp;be under the threat of nuclear war all the time.

&ldquo;Pakistan is heading towards trouble. If Saeed launches the party then Pakistan would become a terror state and the complete regime will go in the hands of the terrorist,&rdquo; he told ANI.

Pakistan had claimed to have banned Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), but following the attack on the Indian Parliament in 2002, it re-emerged as Jamaat-ud Dawa (JuD). The United States has designated the JuD as a front for the LeT.

Hafiz Saeed has reportedly renamed his terrorist outfit JuD as the Milli Muslim League Pakistan

Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) chief and the mastermind of Mumbai terrorist attack Hafiz Muhammad Saeed has reportedly decided to launch his own political party in Pakistan by renaming his terrorist outfit JuD as Milli Muslim League Pakistan. The JuD chief will register his political party with the Election Commission of Pakistan, media reports said. He is likely to launch his political outfit on Pakistan's Independence Day at a function in Lahore. Hafiz Saeed has been declared a wanted terrorist by India and the United States for his alleged role in masterminding the 2008 terror attacks in Mumbai that claimed 166 lives. He even carries a bounty of 10 million USD (approx. Rs 66 crore) on his head for his role in the attack. He is also reported to have close relations with the Pakistani Army and the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). Reacting to the news, outgoing MEA spokesperson Gopal Bagley said, "It appears person whose hands are stained with blood of innocent lives wants to hide his blood-stained hands behind ballot ink. The person who has traded in bullets to take human lives is now trying to hide behind ballots. That's a matter of concern." On Friday, defence experts called on India to accelerate its initiative to declare Hafiz Saeed an international terrorist globally and Pakistan a terror state. Defence expert Shivali Deshpande said that by Saeed getting approval to form a political party, Pakistan will declare itself a terror state. “I am very sure that the same people from Pakistan will definitely not vote him to power after knowing that fact that Hafiz Saeed is an international terrorist. He has a bounty over his head he was the mastermind in many terrorist attacks which had taken place in India,” she told ANI. Deshpande said if the people of Pakistan vote Saeed to power, it will be proven that Pakistan is nothing but a rogue nation and it will walk on the footsteps of North Korea. Another defence expert Sunil Deshpande said that with Hafiz Saeed coming to power, the entire world would be under the threat of nuclear war all the time. “Pakistan is heading towards trouble. If Saeed launches the party then Pakistan would become a terror state and the complete regime will go in the hands of the terrorist,” he told ANI. Pakistan had claimed to have banned Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), but following the attack on the Indian Parliament in 2002, it re-emerged as Jamaat-ud Dawa (JuD). The United States has designated the JuD as a front for the LeT.

Hafiz Saeed 'hiding behind ballots': India on JuD chief's new political party

Pakistan has quietly banned Tehreek-e-Azaadi Jammu and Kashmir (TAJK), a new front for Hafiz Saeed&#39;s Jamaat-ud-Dawa, as international pressure on the country grew, including from a global watchdog, to combat terror and its funding.

TAJK gained prominence as a JuD front when it held pro-Kashmir freedom rallies and displayed banners and streamers across Pakistan on &quot;Kashmir Day&quot; on February 5, days after Saeed was put under &quot;house arrest&quot; for 90 days in Lahore.

The mastermind of the 2008 Mumbai attack in which 166 people died had indicated about a week before his house arrest he might launch TAJK to &quot;expedite the freedom of Kashmir&quot;.

The re-branding of JuD as TAJK showed that Saeed had got a wind of the government plans and had worked out how to resurface and survive after the clampdown on his ostensible network of JuD and its affiliate Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation.

The JuD front was put on the list of &quot;proscribed organisations&quot; on June 8 - a fortnight before the meeting of Financial Action Task Force in Spain, according to a list available on the website of Pakistan&#39;s National Counter Terrorism Authority.

Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) has called a meeting on Monday to discuss the ban on its affiliate, The Nation reported.

There are 64 other outfits in the proscribed organisation category, including Jaish-e-Mohammad, al-Qaeda, Tehreek-e- Taliban, and JuD&#39;s armed wing Lashkar-e-Taiba responsible for 26/11 and several other terror attacks in India.

According to a report in Dawn newspaper today, Pakistan continues to remain on the radar of the FATF over concerns that it is not fully complying with curbs against entities listed with the United Nations.

India had raised the terror financing issue at the FATF in February this year.

The FATF last week referred Pakistan to its regional affiliate - the Asia/Pacific Group on Money Laundering - for further analysis and a follow-up report on actions the country has taken against entities designated under UN sanctions list.

Pakistan government has been under mounting international pressure to crackdown on terrorist networks and their fronts.

However, according to the report, Pakistani officials expect that Pakistan would be cleared of the concerns.

The United Nations placed both JuD and FIF on its watch list in December 2008 and March 2012, respectively.

The ban on TAJK on June 8 happened a day before the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Kazakh capital Astana. India had pushed the SCO members at the summit to curb the financing of terrorist organisations and their fronts.

The Astana Declaration of the Heads of State of the SCO said that the &quot;member states will continue to cooperate in order to counteract the activities of individuals and legal entities related to the recruitment, training and utilisation of terrorists, public calls for terrorist activities or the justification of acts of terrorism, and financing terrorist activities.&quot;

Last week, the US declared Pakistan-based Hizb-ul- Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin a global terrorist. The announcement had come hours before Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump had their first bilateral meeting.

Tehreek-e-Azaadi Jammu and Kashmir gained prominence as a JuD front when it held pro-Kashmir freedom rallies across Pakistan on 'Kashmir Day'

Pakistan has quietly banned Tehreek-e-Azaadi Jammu and Kashmir (TAJK), a new front for Hafiz Saeed's Jamaat-ud-Dawa, as international pressure on the country grew, including from a global watchdog, to combat terror and its funding. TAJK gained prominence as a JuD front when it held pro-Kashmir freedom rallies and displayed banners and streamers across Pakistan on "Kashmir Day" on February 5, days after Saeed was put under "house arrest" for 90 days in Lahore. The mastermind of the 2008 Mumbai attack in which 166 people died had indicated about a week before his house arrest he might launch TAJK to "expedite the freedom of Kashmir". The re-branding of JuD as TAJK showed that Saeed had got a wind of the government plans and had worked out how to resurface and survive after the clampdown on his ostensible network of JuD and its affiliate Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation. The JuD front was put on the list of "proscribed organisations" on June 8 - a fortnight before the meeting of Financial Action Task Force in Spain, according to a list available on the website of Pakistan's National Counter Terrorism Authority. Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) has called a meeting on Monday to discuss the ban on its affiliate, The Nation reported. There are 64 other outfits in the proscribed organisation category, including Jaish-e-Mohammad, al-Qaeda, Tehreek-e- Taliban, and JuD's armed wing Lashkar-e-Taiba responsible for 26/11 and several other terror attacks in India. According to a report in Dawn newspaper today, Pakistan continues to remain on the radar of the FATF over concerns that it is not fully complying with curbs against entities listed with the United Nations. India had raised the terror financing issue at the FATF in February this year. The FATF last week referred Pakistan to its regional affiliate - the Asia/Pacific Group on Money Laundering - for further analysis and a follow-up report on actions the country has taken against entities designated under UN sanctions list. Pakistan government has been under mounting international pressure to crackdown on terrorist networks and their fronts. However, according to the report, Pakistani officials expect that Pakistan would be cleared of the concerns. The United Nations placed both JuD and FIF on its watch list in December 2008 and March 2012, respectively. The ban on TAJK on June 8 happened a day before the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Kazakh capital Astana. India had pushed the SCO members at the summit to curb the financing of terrorist organisations and their fronts. The Astana Declaration of the Heads of State of the SCO said that the "member states will continue to cooperate in order to counteract the activities of individuals and legal entities related to the recruitment, training and utilisation of terrorists, public calls for terrorist activities or the justification of acts of terrorism, and financing terrorist activities." Last week, the US declared Pakistan-based Hizb-ul- Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin a global terrorist. The announcement had come hours before Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump had their first bilateral meeting.

Pakistan bans Hafiz Saeed's JuD front amid international pressure to combat terror

The US has imposed sanctions on Pakistan-based extremists and an organisation run by Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed&#39;s JuD group as part of an effort to disrupt their leadership and fund-raising networks.

The sanctions have been slapped to disrupt the funding of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and its front for charitable activities, the Jamaat-ud-Dawah, the Taliban, Jamaat-ul-Dawa al-Qu&#39;ran (JDQ), the Islamic State, and ISIS Khorasan.

Khorasan is a historical region comprising a vast territory covering northeastern Iran, southern Turkmenistan, and northern Afghanistan and parts of India.

The sanctions in particular have been imposed against Hayatullah Ghulam Muhammad (Haji Hayatullah), Ali Muhammad Abu Turab, Inayat-ur Rahman, and a purported charity managed by Inayat-ur Rahman, the Welfare and Development Organisation of Jamaat-ud-Dawah for Quran and Sunnah (WDO).

&quot;These sanctions seek to disrupt the financial support networks of terrorists based in Pakistan who have provided support to the Taliban, al-Qaeda, ISIS, and LeT for recruitment and funding of suicide bombers and other violent insurgent operations,&quot; said John Smith, Director of Treasury&#39;s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).

&quot;The US continues to aggressively target extremists in Pakistan and the surrounding region, including charities and other front groups used as vehicles to facilitate illicit terrorist activities,&quot; Smith said.

&quot;The three individuals and (an) entity we designated have connections with terrorist groups that are a direct threat to the security of both the United States and Pakistan,&quot; he said.

&quot;The individuals are opportunistic and willing to work with extremist organisations, even those ideologically opposed to one another, to help them deepen their foothold in the region,&quot; Smith added.

OFAC said they designated Hayatullah for acting on behalf of JDQ and LeT, and for providing material and financial support to the Taliban, al-Qaeda, ISIS, and ISIS Khorasan.

Abu Turab invited sanctions for providing material and financial support to JDQ. Last year, he facilitated movement of thousands of dollars from the Gulf to Pakistan.

Inayat-ur Rahman has been slapped with sanctions for acting for JDQ and the Taliban, and for providing material and financial support to LeT and the Taliban. A long-time leader of JDQ, he worked directly for Haji Hayatullah.

OFAC designated the WDO for being controlled by Inayat-ur Rahman. As of 2015, he was the director, chairman, and president of WDO.

(PTI) 
&nbsp;

The sanctions in particular have been imposed against Hayatullah Ghulam Muhammad (Haji Hayatullah), Ali Muhammad Abu Turab, Inayat-ur Rahman

The US has imposed sanctions on Pakistan-based extremists and an organisation run by Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed's JuD group as part of an effort to disrupt their leadership and fund-raising networks. The sanctions have been slapped to disrupt the funding of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and its front for charitable activities, the Jamaat-ud-Dawah, the Taliban, Jamaat-ul-Dawa al-Qu'ran (JDQ), the Islamic State, and ISIS Khorasan. Khorasan is a historical region comprising a vast territory covering northeastern Iran, southern Turkmenistan, and northern Afghanistan and parts of India. The sanctions in particular have been imposed against Hayatullah Ghulam Muhammad (Haji Hayatullah), Ali Muhammad Abu Turab, Inayat-ur Rahman, and a purported charity managed by Inayat-ur Rahman, the Welfare and Development Organisation of Jamaat-ud-Dawah for Quran and Sunnah (WDO). "These sanctions seek to disrupt the financial support networks of terrorists based in Pakistan who have provided support to the Taliban, al-Qaeda, ISIS, and LeT for recruitment and funding of suicide bombers and other violent insurgent operations," said John Smith, Director of Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). "The US continues to aggressively target extremists in Pakistan and the surrounding region, including charities and other front groups used as vehicles to facilitate illicit terrorist activities," Smith said. "The three individuals and (an) entity we designated have connections with terrorist groups that are a direct threat to the security of both the United States and Pakistan," he said. "The individuals are opportunistic and willing to work with extremist organisations, even those ideologically opposed to one another, to help them deepen their foothold in the region," Smith added. OFAC said they designated Hayatullah for acting on behalf of JDQ and LeT, and for providing material and financial support to the Taliban, al-Qaeda, ISIS, and ISIS Khorasan. Abu Turab invited sanctions for providing material and financial support to JDQ. Last year, he facilitated movement of thousands of dollars from the Gulf to Pakistan. Inayat-ur Rahman has been slapped with sanctions for acting for JDQ and the Taliban, and for providing material and financial support to LeT and the Taliban. A long-time leader of JDQ, he worked directly for Haji Hayatullah. OFAC designated the WDO for being controlled by Inayat-ur Rahman. As of 2015, he was the director, chairman, and president of WDO. (PTI)

US sanctions Pakistan-based extremists for funding LeT, JuD, IS

Pakistan has decided to extend the house arrest of Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) chief Hafiz Muhammad Saeed&nbsp;for another three months. 
 
Punjab Government spokesperson Malik Ahmed Khan has confirmed that a formal notification in this regard would be issued within next few days, local media reports say.

The&nbsp;house arrest of the&nbsp;JuD chief&#39;s aides,&nbsp;Abdullah Ubaid, Zafar Iqbal, Abdur Rehman Abid and Qazi Kashif Niaz, has also been extended by three months. 
 
The Pakistan Government on January 30 had put Hafiz Saeed and four others under house arrest at the Qadisiyyah Mosque near Chouburji in Lahore, for their alleged involvement in activities prejudicial to peace and security, for a period of 90 days. 
 
Saeed&#39;s three-month detention was to come to an end on April 30. 
 
Saeed is wanted by India and the United States for his alleged role in masterminding the 2008 terror attacks in Mumbai that claimed the lives of 166 people. 
 
He carries a bounty of 10 million USD (approx&nbsp;Rs 66 crore) on his head for his role in the attack. 
 
Pakistan claims to have banned Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), but following the attack on the Indian Parliament in 2002, it re-emerged as Jamaat-ud Dawa (JuD). 
 
The United States has designated the JuD as a front for the LeT. 
 
(ANI)&nbsp;

The Pakistan government had put Hafiz Saeed and four of his aides under house arrest on January 30

Pakistan has decided to extend the house arrest of Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) chief Hafiz Muhammad Saeed for another three months. Punjab Government spokesperson Malik Ahmed Khan has confirmed that a formal notification in this regard would be issued within next few days, local media reports say. The house arrest of the JuD chief's aides, Abdullah Ubaid, Zafar Iqbal, Abdur Rehman Abid and Qazi Kashif Niaz, has also been extended by three months. The Pakistan Government on January 30 had put Hafiz Saeed and four others under house arrest at the Qadisiyyah Mosque near Chouburji in Lahore, for their alleged involvement in activities prejudicial to peace and security, for a period of 90 days. Saeed's three-month detention was to come to an end on April 30. Saeed is wanted by India and the United States for his alleged role in masterminding the 2008 terror attacks in Mumbai that claimed the lives of 166 people. He carries a bounty of 10 million USD (approx Rs 66 crore) on his head for his role in the attack. Pakistan claims to have banned Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), but following the attack on the Indian Parliament in 2002, it re-emerged as Jamaat-ud Dawa (JuD). The United States has designated the JuD as a front for the LeT. (ANI)

Pakistan extends JuD chief Hafiz Saeed's house arrest by 90 days

A Gilgit-Baltistan activist told the United Nations that Jamaat-ud-Daawa chief Hafiz Saeed, who allegedly masterminded the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, is a &quot;highly respected terrorist&quot; in Pakistan.&nbsp;

Abdul Hamid Khan wrote a letter to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres lambasting Pakistan&#39;s policy of giving full immunity to terrorists.

&quot;Political activists and religious persons and students of Pakistan-occupied Gilgit Baltistan&nbsp;(PoGB) who do not comply ISI&#39;s dictation have been framed under Anti-terrorist Act of Schedule 4. But the real terrorists who bomb and kill innocent civilians in shrines, mosques, roadways and other places are free to roam. It&#39;s no secret that Hafiz Saeed, the head of (now defunct) Lashkar-e-Toiba, which has been banned by the UN, is a highly respected terrorist in Pakistan,&quot; the letter read.

Saeed is the co-founder of Jamaat-ud-Dawa, an organisation outlawed by the United Nations.

The activist also flayed&nbsp;the Pakistan government for coming down hard on those who demand things in a peaceful manner.

&quot;BNF (Balawaristan National Front) has been banned and our books and booklets and newspapers have been banned, while religious hatred and anti-Gilgit Baltistan propoganda&nbsp;is fully supported by the Pakistani occuptaion regime.&nbsp;

Gilgit-Baltistan borders Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and is the country&#39;s northernmost administrative territory.&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from ANI)

&nbsp;

Abdul Hamid Khan wrote a letter to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres lambasting Pakistan's policy of giving full immunity to terrorists

A Gilgit-Baltistan activist told the United Nations that Jamaat-ud-Daawa chief Hafiz Saeed, who allegedly masterminded the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, is a "highly respected terrorist" in Pakistan. Abdul Hamid Khan wrote a letter to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres lambasting Pakistan's policy of giving full immunity to terrorists. "Political activists and religious persons and students of Pakistan-occupied Gilgit Baltistan (PoGB) who do not comply ISI's dictation have been framed under Anti-terrorist Act of Schedule 4. But the real terrorists who bomb and kill innocent civilians in shrines, mosques, roadways and other places are free to roam. It's no secret that Hafiz Saeed, the head of (now defunct) Lashkar-e-Toiba, which has been banned by the UN, is a highly respected terrorist in Pakistan," the letter read. Saeed is the co-founder of Jamaat-ud-Dawa, an organisation outlawed by the United Nations. The activist also flayed the Pakistan government for coming down hard on those who demand things in a peaceful manner. "BNF (Balawaristan National Front) has been banned and our books and booklets and newspapers have been banned, while religious hatred and anti-Gilgit Baltistan propoganda is fully supported by the Pakistani occuptaion regime. Gilgit-Baltistan borders Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and is the country's northernmost administrative territory. (WION with inputs from ANI)

Hafiz Saeed 'highly respected terrorist' in Pakistan: Gilgit-Baltistan activist

Hafiz Saeed&#39;s brother-in-law Hafiz Abdul Rehman Makki, who carries a $2 million bounty on his head, has been given the charge of the head of Jamaat-ud-Dawa after the Mumbai terror attack mastermind was put under house arrest by Pakistan&#39;s Punjab government.

&quot;Hafiz Abdul Rehman Makki, who is also the brother-in-law of Saeed, has officially been made head of JuD in the wake of house arrest of Saeed,&quot; a JuD official told PTI today.

Makki was the second in command of JuD and he took over the reins of the group soon after Saeed&#39;s detention, he said.

Asked about reports that Saeed is still running the JuD from his house (which is declared sub-jail by the Punjab government) in Lahore, the JuD official denied.

&quot;Makki sahib is looking after all affairs of the organisation,&quot; he said.

Makki has led over half-a-dozen rallies in Lahore and elsewhere since the detention of Saeed.

The Punjab government on January 30 had put Saeed and four other leaders of JuD and Falah-e-Insaniat (FIF) under house arrest for a period of 90 days in exercise of powers under section 11-EEE(1) of Anti Terrorism Act 1997.

Various offices of both JuD and FIF were closed following the house arrest of Saeed. Both organisations were also put on observation under the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997.

JuD has rebranded under the new name of &#39;Tehreek Azadi Jammu and Kashmir&#39;, just days after Saeed&#39;s house arrest.

Federal interior minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan had claimed that the government was fulfilling its obligations under United Nations Security Council&#39;s resolutions.

The names of Saeed and 37 other members of JuD and FIF have also been placed on exit control list, preventing them from leaving the country.

As Saeed, the mastermind of 2008 Mumbai attack, carrying a US bounty of $10 million on his head, Makki has also $2 million on his head.

In a statement issued here yesterday, Makki demanded immediate release of Saeed.

(PTI)

Makki was the second in command of JuD and he took over the reins of the group soon after Saeed's detention, a JuD official said

Hafiz Saeed's brother-in-law Hafiz Abdul Rehman Makki, who carries a $2 million bounty on his head, has been given the charge of the head of Jamaat-ud-Dawa after the Mumbai terror attack mastermind was put under house arrest by Pakistan's Punjab government. "Hafiz Abdul Rehman Makki, who is also the brother-in-law of Saeed, has officially been made head of JuD in the wake of house arrest of Saeed," a JuD official told PTI today. Makki was the second in command of JuD and he took over the reins of the group soon after Saeed's detention, he said. Asked about reports that Saeed is still running the JuD from his house (which is declared sub-jail by the Punjab government) in Lahore, the JuD official denied. "Makki sahib is looking after all affairs of the organisation," he said. Makki has led over half-a-dozen rallies in Lahore and elsewhere since the detention of Saeed. The Punjab government on January 30 had put Saeed and four other leaders of JuD and Falah-e-Insaniat (FIF) under house arrest for a period of 90 days in exercise of powers under section 11-EEE(1) of Anti Terrorism Act 1997. Various offices of both JuD and FIF were closed following the house arrest of Saeed. Both organisations were also put on observation under the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997. JuD has rebranded under the new name of 'Tehreek Azadi Jammu and Kashmir', just days after Saeed's house arrest. Federal interior minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan had claimed that the government was fulfilling its obligations under United Nations Security Council's resolutions. The names of Saeed and 37 other members of JuD and FIF have also been placed on exit control list, preventing them from leaving the country. As Saeed, the mastermind of 2008 Mumbai attack, carrying a US bounty of $10 million on his head, Makki has also $2 million on his head. In a statement issued here yesterday, Makki demanded immediate release of Saeed. (PTI)

Hafiz Saeed's brother-in-law Makki appointed Jamaat-ud Dawa head

In an exclusive interview with WION, India&#39;s Home minister Rajnath Singh spoke about BJP&#39;s chances of winning the upcoming assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh. He&nbsp;also defended Prime Minister Narendra Modi&#39;s demonetisation policy, and the allegation that he&nbsp;was responsible for the logjam in Parliament following the &#39;raincoat&#39; jibe against&nbsp;former PM Manmohan Singh. The Home minister called on Pakistan to take tougher measures against Jama&#39;at-ud-Da&#39;wah (JuD) terrorist Hafiz Saeed who is currently under house arrest in Pakistan.

Q: What is your political assessment of Uttar Pradesh? 
A: BJP will get full majority in Uttar Pradesh.

Q: It is believed that RLD did a good job in the first phase? 
A: I don&rsquo;t believe this. We will also get a substantial chunk of Jat votes.

Q: How come the BJP changed goalposts during the&nbsp;middle of the elections. From development to cremation ground. Why did this happen?

A: People should not misinterpret the statement of the prime minister. What prime minister meant was that there shouldn&rsquo;t be any discrimination on the basis of caste and creed at an individual basis. He was speaking against vote bank politics and implementation of policies on the basis of captive votes. You don&rsquo;t do politics to come to power.

Q: Do you believe that SP discriminated on the basis of religion on the issue of subsidy 
A: SP has always believed in the divide and rule policy. Even BSP does it. They say, this community votes for us but this is the language which we can never use.&nbsp;

Q: Opposition has accused you of polarising politics? 
A: I&rsquo;m opposed to polarisation. It is injurious to this country. I don&rsquo;t believe in such politics.

Q: PM has been attacked up, close and personal in these elections? Leaders are targeting each other at a personal level? 
A: People should be careful about the words they use. PM is an institution and the dignity of the institution should be respected and the system shouldn&rsquo;t be broken. The consequence of such politics can be grave...

Q: PM is being projected as an outsider in the SP-Congress campaign? 
A: The PM belongs to the country...

Q: Akhilesh Yadav has made certain personal remarks about the PM? 
A: It is very unfortunate. If I would have been in his place and if I would have said something like it, I would have withdrawn my statement...&nbsp;

Q: How&rsquo;s the SP-Congress alliance doing? 
A: Minus plus minus will be zero. Two weak elements have come together to fight. It will have no impact on the Uttar Pradesh elections.

Q: Parliament has stopped functioning. What is the reason? 
A: It has to be taken very seriously. We have made all the outreach. People should come together and talk. We have tried our best to get the Opposition to talk to us. We did our bit...

Q: What about the current logjam? 
A: This can only be explained by the opposition not us...

Q: Is it because of the fact that the Congress has failed to accept that BJP has a full majority? 
A: I think they have not been able to reconcile to our massive victory in the 2014 elections.

Q: The House ended on the raincoat controversy. Where does Parliament go from here? 
A: They should understand that PM actually praised Manmohan Singh but it should also not be forgotten that it was Manmohan Singh who called demonetisation the biggest organized loot. Was he referring to Prime Minister Modi? On the basis of same interpretation, we should have got very angry as he was calling our PM &quot;lootera&quot; (looter) and criminal. No one blamed Manmohan Singh for corruption....

Q: How do you assess Rahul Gandhi as a leader? Opposition leaders play an important role in democratic a set-up... 
A: I wish Rahul Gandhi best of luck that he emerges as a seasoned, dynamic, visionary and a mature leader. He has my &quot;aashirwaad&quot; (blessings).

Q: Who is your opponent in Uttar Pradesh? 
A: It is a mixed bag. There are areas in which the SP is fighting us and in some areas, the SP-Congress alliance is giving us a fight...

Q: What makes BJP a player after 15 years in UP? 
A: I know the reason but will not share it. What I can say is that BJP&rsquo;s credibility has increased. People believe that BJP commits itself to word and deed. They find no difference between the word and the deed. There are no corruption charges against leaders in this government. The economy is doing well. All of this has helped us...

Q: How come not a single Muslim got a ticket from BJP. You earlier said that BJP believes in &quot;sabka saath sabka vikas&quot; (development for everyone)? 
A: This is right. People get tickets on the basis of strength. But we will remember this in future that Muslims should get tickets in Uttar Pradesh. MJ Akbar and Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi are there in the Centre. There have been instances that people have been accommodated in the states from the Upper House&nbsp;but it would have been better if there would have been Muslim candidates...

Q: Even your critics are considered to be the inheritor of Atal Bihari Vajpaye&rsquo;s style of politics? Your comments... 
A: I can never ever forget Vajpayee. He influenced me. I would say that people like me cannot become Vajpayee. He was god gifted. Despite not being in active politics, people still clap for him...

Q: You worked with both Modi and Vajpaye. What is the difference between them? 
A: It would be unfair to compare Modi with Vajpaye. Both leaders have different qualities. They have different working styles. Each is unique and different so one cannot cross-evaluate?

Q: How do you define your relationship with the PM? Once you were compatriots? 
A: I have a very good relationship with the PM. Our relationship has not changed but now he is my Prime Minister. We have to work within the norms. He is our Prime Minister and I&rsquo;m mindful of it but our relationship remains the same.

Q: How will the results in Uttar Pradesh impact UP elections? 
A: It is a big state and that is the reason why it will have an impact. But issues are different. State-level elections are on local issues. National issues have a limited impact in the state...

Q: Is demonetisation an issue? 
A: I get feedback. It is a major achievement on part of our government. People suffered but did not question the intentions of the Prime Minister which in itself is important...

Q: Is MHA (Ministry of Home Affairs) prepared for the summer&nbsp;in Valley? The situation last time was bad... 
A: Kashmir should normalise and we are trying our best to do so. I would add that this is not the first time the Valley has seen a situation like this, similar situation has been witnessed in the past where lot of people have been affected but It is unfortunate. We want political parties to cooperate.

Q: We have seen that security operations are being hampered in the Valley which is a new development. How do you see it? 
A: There are forces which are creating problems and we need to identity them and do something about it. We need to think about it.

Q: Yashwant Sinha, your former colleague and senior BJP leader has openly spoken about talks with Kashmiris. Your comment? 
A: I have gone to Kashmir thrice. I&rsquo;m open to talk within the Kashmiriyat, jhamoriyat and insaniyat. It is not the fault of the government that these people didn&rsquo;t come...

Q: Has surgical strike changed anything for you? 
A: Things have changed. It has raised the morale of the army. Terrorists are being killed on a daily basis which never happened before. The surgical strike has held us in good stead... &nbsp;

Q: Why are you raising the issue of Pakistan and surgical strikes during rallies? 
A: Every Indian has a sense of pride which is known as national pride. That is why people responded to me with the feeling that this government protects national interest.

Q: How can this be turned into an electoral issue when you are calling it a national issue? 
A: Governments are formed through elections and development is not the only goal. The responsibility of the government entails national pride and national security.

Q: You have taken a tough stand on Pakistan? 
A: I also mentioned that Pakistan is our neighbour. We called all countries for Modi&#39;s swearing-in ceremony.

Q: But you also said that you weren&#39;t keen to go to Pakistan? 
A: I thought that SAARC would be a formal affair and wanted the MOS (Minister of State) to go. Then I realised that there was a campaign organised against India and people were shouting anti-India slogans and those leading the crowd were terror leaders, I decided to go. I said what I wanted to. Blunt speak.

Q: Then why is the MHA shying away from declaring Pakistan a terrorist state? 
A: We don&rsquo;t want to take any decision in a hurry. We are a global village. Terrorism is a challenge for the world. We want other countries to cooperate with us. PM has taken many nations on board....

Q: You said the&nbsp;world is a global village but your biggest neighbour China is on Hafiz Saeed&#39;s side&nbsp;with Pakistan?

A: Even Pakistan&rsquo;s defence minister has spoken. It is a good signal. But a decisive step is required. House arrest will not do. When I say decisive step I mean that some action needs to be taken. Law must take its own course. House arrest is just a fake step. More needs to be done. Law must catch up and this eyewash cannot continue...&nbsp;

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In an interview with WION, Home minister Rajnath Singh said that Pakistans action on Hafiz Saeed was an eyewash and Pakistan needed to do more on terror. He also promised to punish those threatening J&amp;K security (WION)
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(WION)

 
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India's Home minister Rajnath Singh said Pakistan needed to take tough action against the JuD terrorist

In an exclusive interview with WION, India's Home minister Rajnath Singh spoke about BJP's chances of winning the upcoming assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh. He also defended Prime Minister Narendra Modi's demonetisation policy, and the allegation that he was responsible for the logjam in Parliament following the 'raincoat' jibe against former PM Manmohan Singh. The Home minister called on Pakistan to take tougher measures against Jama'at-ud-Da'wah (JuD) terrorist Hafiz Saeed who is currently under house arrest in Pakistan. Q: What is your political assessment of Uttar Pradesh? A: BJP will get full majority in Uttar Pradesh. Q: It is believed that RLD did a good job in the first phase? A: I don’t believe this. We will also get a substantial chunk of Jat votes. Q: How come the BJP changed goalposts during the middle of the elections. From development to cremation ground. Why did this happen? A: People should not misinterpret the statement of the prime minister. What prime minister meant was that there shouldn’t be any discrimination on the basis of caste and creed at an individual basis. He was speaking against vote bank politics and implementation of policies on the basis of captive votes. You don’t do politics to come to power. Q: Do you believe that SP discriminated on the basis of religion on the issue of subsidy A: SP has always believed in the divide and rule policy. Even BSP does it. They say, this community votes for us but this is the language which we can never use. Q: Opposition has accused you of polarising politics? A: I’m opposed to polarisation. It is injurious to this country. I don’t believe in such politics. Q: PM has been attacked up, close and personal in these elections? Leaders are targeting each other at a personal level? A: People should be careful about the words they use. PM is an institution and the dignity of the institution should be respected and the system shouldn’t be broken. The consequence of such politics can be grave... Q: PM is being projected as an outsider in the SP-Congress campaign? A: The PM belongs to the country... Q: Akhilesh Yadav has made certain personal remarks about the PM? A: It is very unfortunate. If I would have been in his place and if I would have said something like it, I would have withdrawn my statement... Q: How’s the SP-Congress alliance doing? A: Minus plus minus will be zero. Two weak elements have come together to fight. It will have no impact on the Uttar Pradesh elections. Q: Parliament has stopped functioning. What is the reason? A: It has to be taken very seriously. We have made all the outreach. People should come together and talk. We have tried our best to get the Opposition to talk to us. We did our bit... Q: What about the current logjam? A: This can only be explained by the opposition not us... Q: Is it because of the fact that the Congress has failed to accept that BJP has a full majority? A: I think they have not been able to reconcile to our massive victory in the 2014 elections. Q: The House ended on the raincoat controversy. Where does Parliament go from here? A: They should understand that PM actually praised Manmohan Singh but it should also not be forgotten that it was Manmohan Singh who called demonetisation the biggest organized loot. Was he referring to Prime Minister Modi? On the basis of same interpretation, we should have got very angry as he was calling our PM "lootera" (looter) and criminal. No one blamed Manmohan Singh for corruption.... Q: How do you assess Rahul Gandhi as a leader? Opposition leaders play an important role in democratic a set-up... A: I wish Rahul Gandhi best of luck that he emerges as a seasoned, dynamic, visionary and a mature leader. He has my "aashirwaad" (blessings). Q: Who is your opponent in Uttar Pradesh? A: It is a mixed bag. There are areas in which the SP is fighting us and in some areas, the SP-Congress alliance is giving us a fight... Q: What makes BJP a player after 15 years in UP? A: I know the reason but will not share it. What I can say is that BJP’s credibility has increased. People believe that BJP commits itself to word and deed. They find no difference between the word and the deed. There are no corruption charges against leaders in this government. The economy is doing well. All of this has helped us... Q: How come not a single Muslim got a ticket from BJP. You earlier said that BJP believes in "sabka saath sabka vikas" (development for everyone)? A: This is right. People get tickets on the basis of strength. But we will remember this in future that Muslims should get tickets in Uttar Pradesh. MJ Akbar and Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi are there in the Centre. There have been instances that people have been accommodated in the states from the Upper House but it would have been better if there would have been Muslim candidates... Q: Even your critics are considered to be the inheritor of Atal Bihari Vajpaye’s style of politics? Your comments... A: I can never ever forget Vajpayee. He influenced me. I would say that people like me cannot become Vajpayee. He was god gifted. Despite not being in active politics, people still clap for him... Q: You worked with both Modi and Vajpaye. What is the difference between them? A: It would be unfair to compare Modi with Vajpaye. Both leaders have different qualities. They have different working styles. Each is unique and different so one cannot cross-evaluate? Q: How do you define your relationship with the PM? Once you were compatriots? A: I have a very good relationship with the PM. Our relationship has not changed but now he is my Prime Minister. We have to work within the norms. He is our Prime Minister and I’m mindful of it but our relationship remains the same. Q: How will the results in Uttar Pradesh impact UP elections? A: It is a big state and that is the reason why it will have an impact. But issues are different. State-level elections are on local issues. National issues have a limited impact in the state... Q: Is demonetisation an issue? A: I get feedback. It is a major achievement on part of our government. People suffered but did not question the intentions of the Prime Minister which in itself is important... Q: Is MHA (Ministry of Home Affairs) prepared for the summer in Valley? The situation last time was bad... A: Kashmir should normalise and we are trying our best to do so. I would add that this is not the first time the Valley has seen a situation like this, similar situation has been witnessed in the past where lot of people have been affected but It is unfortunate. We want political parties to cooperate. Q: We have seen that security operations are being hampered in the Valley which is a new development. How do you see it? A: There are forces which are creating problems and we need to identity them and do something about it. We need to think about it. Q: Yashwant Sinha, your former colleague and senior BJP leader has openly spoken about talks with Kashmiris. Your comment? A: I have gone to Kashmir thrice. I’m open to talk within the Kashmiriyat, jhamoriyat and insaniyat. It is not the fault of the government that these people didn’t come... Q: Has surgical strike changed anything for you? A: Things have changed. It has raised the morale of the army. Terrorists are being killed on a daily basis which never happened before. The surgical strike has held us in good stead... Q: Why are you raising the issue of Pakistan and surgical strikes during rallies? A: Every Indian has a sense of pride which is known as national pride. That is why people responded to me with the feeling that this government protects national interest. Q: How can this be turned into an electoral issue when you are calling it a national issue? A: Governments are formed through elections and development is not the only goal. The responsibility of the government entails national pride and national security. Q: You have taken a tough stand on Pakistan? A: I also mentioned that Pakistan is our neighbour. We called all countries for Modi's swearing-in ceremony. Q: But you also said that you weren't keen to go to Pakistan? A: I thought that SAARC would be a formal affair and wanted the MOS (Minister of State) to go. Then I realised that there was a campaign organised against India and people were shouting anti-India slogans and those leading the crowd were terror leaders, I decided to go. I said what I wanted to. Blunt speak. Q: Then why is the MHA shying away from declaring Pakistan a terrorist state? A: We don’t want to take any decision in a hurry. We are a global village. Terrorism is a challenge for the world. We want other countries to cooperate with us. PM has taken many nations on board.... Q: You said the world is a global village but your biggest neighbour China is on Hafiz Saeed's side with Pakistan? A: Even Pakistan’s defence minister has spoken. It is a good signal. But a decisive step is required. House arrest will not do. When I say decisive step I mean that some action needs to be taken. Law must take its own course. House arrest is just a fake step. More needs to be done. Law must catch up and this eyewash cannot continue... In an interview with WION, Home minister Rajnath Singh said that Pakistans action on Hafiz Saeed was an eyewash and Pakistan needed to do more on terror. He also promised to punish those threatening J&K security (WION) × (WION)

Hafiz Saeed's house arrest is just a fake step, says Rajnath Singh

Pakistan&#39;s defence minister Khwaja Asif has said Lashkar e Taiba chief Hafiz Saeed posed a &quot;threat to the country&quot;&nbsp;and was arrested &quot;in the larger national interest&quot;, The Nation reported.

The statement comes days after Saeed, wanted by India for the 2008 Mumbai attacks, was listed by Pakistan under its anti-terrorism act.

Saeed&#39;s name was added under the fourth schedule of Pakistan&#39;s Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA). According to the fourth schedule, the government may arrest or detain a person for a&nbsp;period not exceeding twelve months.

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<h5>Saeed was also put&nbsp;under the exit control list by the provincial Punjab government, meaning he is prohibited from leaving Pakistan</h5>
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He was also put&nbsp;under the exit control list by the provincial Punjab government, meaning that he is prohibited from leaving Pakistan.

Speaking at the Munich Security Conference on Sunday (February 19), defence minister Khwaja Asif also opposed the use of Islamic terrorism, blaming US President Donald Trump for whipping up Islamophobia by using the term.

He urged that terrorism was not linked to a particular religion as more than &quot;90 per cent&quot; of the people killed in terror attacks are Muslims.

&quot;Terrorists aren&rsquo;t Christians or Muslims or Buddhists or Hindus. They are terrorists, they are criminals,&rdquo; the minister said during the conference.

India for long has been demanding Pakistan to come down hard on Saeed for allegedly orchestrating the Mumbai attacks, which left 164 people dead and scores wounded.

But New Delhi repeatedly maintained that Islamabad has gone soft on Saeed.

However, things have changed in Pakistan in recent days, with international powers piling pressure on Islamabad to act against the alleged Mumbai attacks mastermind.

Saeed&#39;s house arrest has been expectedly welcomed by New Delhi, who called it a &quot;logical first step&quot; to thwart the &quot;twin menaces of terrorism and violent extremism&quot; in the region.

(WION)

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Khwaja Asif added that Saeed was arrested 'in the larger national interest'

Pakistan's defence minister Khwaja Asif has said Lashkar e Taiba chief Hafiz Saeed posed a "threat to the country" and was arrested "in the larger national interest", The Nation reported. The statement comes days after Saeed, wanted by India for the 2008 Mumbai attacks, was listed by Pakistan under its anti-terrorism act. Saeed's name was added under the fourth schedule of Pakistan's Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA). According to the fourth schedule, the government may arrest or detain a person for a period not exceeding twelve months. Saeed was also put under the exit control list by the provincial Punjab government, meaning he is prohibited from leaving Pakistan × He was also put under the exit control list by the provincial Punjab government, meaning that he is prohibited from leaving Pakistan. Speaking at the Munich Security Conference on Sunday (February 19), defence minister Khwaja Asif also opposed the use of Islamic terrorism, blaming US President Donald Trump for whipping up Islamophobia by using the term. He urged that terrorism was not linked to a particular religion as more than "90 per cent" of the people killed in terror attacks are Muslims. "Terrorists aren’t Christians or Muslims or Buddhists or Hindus. They are terrorists, they are criminals,” the minister said during the conference. India for long has been demanding Pakistan to come down hard on Saeed for allegedly orchestrating the Mumbai attacks, which left 164 people dead and scores wounded. But New Delhi repeatedly maintained that Islamabad has gone soft on Saeed. However, things have changed in Pakistan in recent days, with international powers piling pressure on Islamabad to act against the alleged Mumbai attacks mastermind. Saeed's house arrest has been expectedly welcomed by New Delhi, who called it a "logical first step" to thwart the "twin menaces of terrorism and violent extremism" in the region. (WION)

Pakistan defence minister says LeT chief Hafiz Saeed posed 'threat to country'

Jamaat-ud Dawa chief Hafiz Saeed -- who is believed by India to have orchestrated the Mumbai attacks -- has been listed by Pakistan under its anti-terrorism act.

Saeed and his close aide Qazi Kashif have been added under the fourth schedule of Pakistan&#39;s Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), Dawn News reported.

According to the fourth schedule, the government may arrest or detain a person for period not exceeding twelve months.

Saeed has also been put under the exit control list by the provincial Punjab government, meaning that he is prohibited from leaving Pakistan.

Pakistan government&#39;s decision to include Saeed in the anti-terrorism list will be a shot in the arm for India, who have long insisted fair trial against him for his alleged role in the 2008 Mumbai attacks, which killed 164 people and wounded over 200.

The mere listing of a person in the fourth schedule of the ATA shows that he is linked with militancy in some way, the report said. Those listed face a barrage of legal consequences like travel bans and scrutiny of assets etc.

The action against Saeed was taken after the country was hit by at least eight terror attacks which killed more than 100 people. &quot;Detention of Saeed shows that army supported the step by the civilian government, and it was viewed by many as a sign of changing security priorities,&quot; the daily said.

Saeed was also put under house arrest after Mumbai terror attacks in November 2008 but he was freed by court in 2009. Saeed also carries a reward of $10 million announced by the US for his role in terror activities.

Three other men were also added to the list -- Abdullah Obaid from Faisalabad, and Zafar Iqbal and Abdur Rehman Abid from the Markaz-i-Taiba, Muridke.&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from PTI)

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Jamaat-ud Dawa chief has also been barred from leaving Pakistan -- a move that will buttress India's demand for legal action against him

Jamaat-ud Dawa chief Hafiz Saeed -- who is believed by India to have orchestrated the Mumbai attacks -- has been listed by Pakistan under its anti-terrorism act. Saeed and his close aide Qazi Kashif have been added under the fourth schedule of Pakistan's Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), Dawn News reported. According to the fourth schedule, the government may arrest or detain a person for period not exceeding twelve months. Saeed has also been put under the exit control list by the provincial Punjab government, meaning that he is prohibited from leaving Pakistan. Pakistan government's decision to include Saeed in the anti-terrorism list will be a shot in the arm for India, who have long insisted fair trial against him for his alleged role in the 2008 Mumbai attacks, which killed 164 people and wounded over 200. The mere listing of a person in the fourth schedule of the ATA shows that he is linked with militancy in some way, the report said. Those listed face a barrage of legal consequences like travel bans and scrutiny of assets etc. The action against Saeed was taken after the country was hit by at least eight terror attacks which killed more than 100 people. "Detention of Saeed shows that army supported the step by the civilian government, and it was viewed by many as a sign of changing security priorities," the daily said. Saeed was also put under house arrest after Mumbai terror attacks in November 2008 but he was freed by court in 2009. Saeed also carries a reward of $10 million announced by the US for his role in terror activities. Three other men were also added to the list -- Abdullah Obaid from Faisalabad, and Zafar Iqbal and Abdur Rehman Abid from the Markaz-i-Taiba, Muridke. (WION with inputs from PTI)

Suspected Mumbai attacks mastermind Hafiz Saeed put under terror watchlist

Hafiz Saeed, chief of the Pakistani-based militant outfit Jamaat-Ud-Dawa (JUD), has asked the Pakistani government to remove his name from the exit control list (ECL). &nbsp;

Pakistan daily <a href="https://www.dawn.com/news/1315080/hafiz-saeed-37-others-seek-removal-from-ecl">The Dawn</a> reported that in a letter written to the interior ministry, Hafiz Saeed&#39;s advocate AK Dogar pleads that a memorandum issued on January 30, 2017 placing 38 individuals on the ECL be withdrawn.

Persons on the exit control list are prohibited from leaving Pakistan.

The letter claims that the JuD chief had never been involved in any terrorist activity in Pakistan. It further claims that since the JuD has been an organisation dedicated to welfare of the citizens, with142 schools and four varsities in the country and says the Falah-i-Insaniat Foundation (FIF) is a proof of this. 
 
Asked to comment on the matter, India&#39;s external affairs ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup said Hafiz Saeed needed to be brought to justice soon since he had engaged in numerous terror acts. 
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Hafiz Saeed is internationally proscribed terrorist who&#39;s engaged in numerous terror acts;He needs to be brought to justice soon-VSwarup,MEA <a href="https://t.co/APFsCNcPre">pic.twitter.com/APFsCNcPre</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/832221054911148032">February 16, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Hafiz Saeed, who is the mastermind of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, was put under house arrest on January 31 in Pakistan&#39;s Punjab province.

Hafiz Saeed is the most wanted Pakistani terrorist in India for his alleged links to the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.

JuD was declared a foreign terrorist organisation by the United States in June 2014. Saeed carries a reward of $10 million announced by the United States.

Jamaat-ud-Dawa has rebranded under the new name of &#39;Tehreek Azadi Jammu and Kashmir&#39;, just days after its chief Hafiz Saeed was put under house arrest and a crackdown launched on the organisation&#39;s activities.

The interior ministry had &quot;placed Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation (FIF) and Jamaat-Ud-Dawa (JUD) on the Watch List as per UNSC 1267 Sanctions. 
 
(WION)

Persons on the Exit Control list are prohibited from leaving Pakistan

Hafiz Saeed, chief of the Pakistani-based militant outfit Jamaat-Ud-Dawa (JUD), has asked the Pakistani government to remove his name from the exit control list (ECL). Pakistan daily The Dawn reported that in a letter written to the interior ministry, Hafiz Saeed's advocate AK Dogar pleads that a memorandum issued on January 30, 2017 placing 38 individuals on the ECL be withdrawn. Persons on the exit control list are prohibited from leaving Pakistan. The letter claims that the JuD chief had never been involved in any terrorist activity in Pakistan. It further claims that since the JuD has been an organisation dedicated to welfare of the citizens, with142 schools and four varsities in the country and says the Falah-i-Insaniat Foundation (FIF) is a proof of this. Asked to comment on the matter, India's external affairs ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup said Hafiz Saeed needed to be brought to justice soon since he had engaged in numerous terror acts. Hafiz Saeed is internationally proscribed terrorist who's engaged in numerous terror acts;He needs to be brought to justice soon-VSwarup,MEA pic.twitter.com/APFsCNcPre — ANI (@ANI_news) February 16, 2017 × Hafiz Saeed, who is the mastermind of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, was put under house arrest on January 31 in Pakistan's Punjab province. Hafiz Saeed is the most wanted Pakistani terrorist in India for his alleged links to the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. JuD was declared a foreign terrorist organisation by the United States in June 2014. Saeed carries a reward of $10 million announced by the United States. Jamaat-ud-Dawa has rebranded under the new name of 'Tehreek Azadi Jammu and Kashmir', just days after its chief Hafiz Saeed was put under house arrest and a crackdown launched on the organisation's activities. The interior ministry had "placed Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation (FIF) and Jamaat-Ud-Dawa (JUD) on the Watch List as per UNSC 1267 Sanctions. (WION)

Hafiz Saeed asks Pakistan government to remove his name from exit control list

Jamaat-ud-Dawa has rebranded under the new name of &#39;Tehreek Azadi Jammu and Kashmir&#39;, just days after its chief Hafiz Saeed was put under house arrest and a crackdown launched on the organisation&#39;s activities.

The Mumbai attack mastermind had indicated about a week before his arrest that he might launch Tehreek Azadi Jammu and Kashmir (TAJK) to &quot;expedite the freedom of Kashmir&quot;.

It shows that Saeed had got a wind of the official plans and already had worked out how to resurface and survive after the clampdown on his ostensible network of Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) and Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation (FIF).

Official sources confirmed that the two organisations have started activities under the name new of TAJK and were planning to organise events on February 5, which is observed a &#39;Kashmir Day&#39; in Pakistan. The TAJK banners have been displayed in Lahore and other cities and towns.

The group is also planning to hold a big Kashmir conference tomorrow in Lahore after evening prayers.

The TAJK has reactivated its donations centres and ambulance services in different districts of Punjab, including Lahore, which is the hub of its activities.

Local media reported that even after the crackdown on their activities, the volunteers of Saeed&#39;s network yesterday actively participated in the rescue operation after a boat carrying about 100 passengers capsized in the Ravi river near Nankana Sahib town in Punjab.

A police official said law enforcement agencies were keeping a close eye on the activities of Saeed&#39;s network and appropriate action would be taken.

&quot;It is a sensitive issue and a measured response is needed to fulfil the international obligations of the country and deal with any possible fallout due to protest by followers of Saeed,&quot; he said.

Various offices of both JuD and FIF were closed on Monday following the house arrest of Saeed. Both organisations were also put on observation under the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997.

The Pakistani government on Monday had placed Saeed and his four accomplices -- Abdullah Ubaid, Zafar Iqbal, Abdur Rehman Abid and Qazi Kashif Niaz -- under house arrest in Lahore.

The country&#39;s Interior Ministry had also placed Saeed and 37 other JuD and FIF members on the Exit Control List (ECL), barring them from leaving the country.

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(PTI)

The group is also planning to hold a Kashmir conference tomorrow in Lahore after evening prayers

Jamaat-ud-Dawa has rebranded under the new name of 'Tehreek Azadi Jammu and Kashmir', just days after its chief Hafiz Saeed was put under house arrest and a crackdown launched on the organisation's activities. The Mumbai attack mastermind had indicated about a week before his arrest that he might launch Tehreek Azadi Jammu and Kashmir (TAJK) to "expedite the freedom of Kashmir". It shows that Saeed had got a wind of the official plans and already had worked out how to resurface and survive after the clampdown on his ostensible network of Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) and Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation (FIF). Official sources confirmed that the two organisations have started activities under the name new of TAJK and were planning to organise events on February 5, which is observed a 'Kashmir Day' in Pakistan. The TAJK banners have been displayed in Lahore and other cities and towns. The group is also planning to hold a big Kashmir conference tomorrow in Lahore after evening prayers. The TAJK has reactivated its donations centres and ambulance services in different districts of Punjab, including Lahore, which is the hub of its activities. Local media reported that even after the crackdown on their activities, the volunteers of Saeed's network yesterday actively participated in the rescue operation after a boat carrying about 100 passengers capsized in the Ravi river near Nankana Sahib town in Punjab. A police official said law enforcement agencies were keeping a close eye on the activities of Saeed's network and appropriate action would be taken. "It is a sensitive issue and a measured response is needed to fulfil the international obligations of the country and deal with any possible fallout due to protest by followers of Saeed," he said. Various offices of both JuD and FIF were closed on Monday following the house arrest of Saeed. Both organisations were also put on observation under the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997. The Pakistani government on Monday had placed Saeed and his four accomplices -- Abdullah Ubaid, Zafar Iqbal, Abdur Rehman Abid and Qazi Kashif Niaz -- under house arrest in Lahore. The country's Interior Ministry had also placed Saeed and 37 other JuD and FIF members on the Exit Control List (ECL), barring them from leaving the country. (PTI)

Pakistan: Jamaat-ud-Dawa rebrands as 'Tehreek Azadi Jammu & Kashmir' days after chief Hafiz Saeed's house arrest

Pakistan on Wednesday asked India to come up with &quot;concrete evidence&quot; against Jamaat-ud Dawa chief Hafiz Saeed if it was serious about its allegations against him, a day after New Delhi said that only a credible crackdown on the Mumbai attack mastermind would be proof of Islamabad&#39;s sincerity.

&quot;Pakistan does not need any certification or endorsement from India over the recent actions it has taken in relation to Hafiz Saeed,&quot; an interior ministry Spokesperson said here, referring to Saeed&#39;s detention on Monday.

Saeed and four other JuD leaders , Abdullah Ubaid, Zafar Iqbal, Abdur Rehman Abid and Qazi Kashif Niaz.were put under house arrest after an order was issued by Punjab province&#39;s interior ministry on Monday in pursuance to a directive from the federal interior ,ministry on January 27.

He said the actions taken by Pakistan have been carried out as per obligations vis-a-vis listing of JuD under UN Security Council Resolution 1267 in December 2008. &quot;India has constantly been using Saeed&#39;s political activities as a tool to malign Pakistan. The international community should take note and understand that Pakistan is a democratic society where judiciary takes free, independent and transparent decisions,&quot; the official said in a statement.

&quot;If indeed India is serious about its allegations, it should come up with concrete evidence against Hafiz Saeed which is sustainable in court of law in Pakistan or for that matter anywhere in the world,&quot; he said, adding mere casting aspersions and leveling allegations without any corroborating evidence would not help the cause of peace in the region.

He said that various actions that needed to be taken under the relevant resolution i.e arms embargo, travel ban and asset freeze were not carried out for some reasons by the previous governments.

India yesterday said that it was not impressed by Saeed&#39;s detention and only a &quot;credible crackdown&quot; on terror outfits, including Saeed&#39;s, will prove Pakistan&#39;s sincerity as such actions had been taken against him in the past too.

Meanwhile, the ministry placed Saeed&#39;s name among 38 others on the Exit Control List, two days after his detention.

The ministry has forwarded a letter to all provincial governments and the Federal Investigation Agency, which included names of all 38 individuals placed on the ECL.

All of them were said to be affiliated with JuD or Lashkar-e-Taiba.

&quot;Saeed, Ubaid, Iqbal, Abid and Niaz are reportedly active members of the aforementioned organizations within the meaning of Section 11EEE(1) of the ATA 1997 (as amended),&quot; read a notification issued by the Interior Ministry. &quot;As such, they must be placed under preventive detention.&quot;

The interior ministry&nbsp;had &quot;placed Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation (FIF) and Jamaat-Ud-Dawa (JUD) on the Watch List as per UNSC 1267 Sanctions and have listed these organizations in the Second Schedule of the ATA 1997 (as amended).&quot; The spokesperson further said that &quot;Pakistan is still looking for justification and explanation from India as to how all the accused involved in Samjhauta Express bombing where 68 Pakistani nationals lost their lives have gone scot-free.&quot;

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(PTI)

This comes after India said that only a 'credible crackdown' on the Mumbai attack mastermind would be proof of Islamabad's sincerity

Pakistan on Wednesday asked India to come up with "concrete evidence" against Jamaat-ud Dawa chief Hafiz Saeed if it was serious about its allegations against him, a day after New Delhi said that only a credible crackdown on the Mumbai attack mastermind would be proof of Islamabad's sincerity. "Pakistan does not need any certification or endorsement from India over the recent actions it has taken in relation to Hafiz Saeed," an interior ministry Spokesperson said here, referring to Saeed's detention on Monday. Saeed and four other JuD leaders , Abdullah Ubaid, Zafar Iqbal, Abdur Rehman Abid and Qazi Kashif Niaz.were put under house arrest after an order was issued by Punjab province's interior ministry on Monday in pursuance to a directive from the federal interior ,ministry on January 27. He said the actions taken by Pakistan have been carried out as per obligations vis-a-vis listing of JuD under UN Security Council Resolution 1267 in December 2008. "India has constantly been using Saeed's political activities as a tool to malign Pakistan. The international community should take note and understand that Pakistan is a democratic society where judiciary takes free, independent and transparent decisions," the official said in a statement. "If indeed India is serious about its allegations, it should come up with concrete evidence against Hafiz Saeed which is sustainable in court of law in Pakistan or for that matter anywhere in the world," he said, adding mere casting aspersions and leveling allegations without any corroborating evidence would not help the cause of peace in the region. He said that various actions that needed to be taken under the relevant resolution i.e arms embargo, travel ban and asset freeze were not carried out for some reasons by the previous governments. India yesterday said that it was not impressed by Saeed's detention and only a "credible crackdown" on terror outfits, including Saeed's, will prove Pakistan's sincerity as such actions had been taken against him in the past too. Meanwhile, the ministry placed Saeed's name among 38 others on the Exit Control List, two days after his detention. The ministry has forwarded a letter to all provincial governments and the Federal Investigation Agency, which included names of all 38 individuals placed on the ECL. All of them were said to be affiliated with JuD or Lashkar-e-Taiba. "Saeed, Ubaid, Iqbal, Abid and Niaz are reportedly active members of the aforementioned organizations within the meaning of Section 11EEE(1) of the ATA 1997 (as amended)," read a notification issued by the Interior Ministry. "As such, they must be placed under preventive detention." The interior ministry had "placed Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation (FIF) and Jamaat-Ud-Dawa (JUD) on the Watch List as per UNSC 1267 Sanctions and have listed these organizations in the Second Schedule of the ATA 1997 (as amended)." The spokesperson further said that "Pakistan is still looking for justification and explanation from India as to how all the accused involved in Samjhauta Express bombing where 68 Pakistani nationals lost their lives have gone scot-free." (PTI)

Pakistan: Hafiz Saeed placed on exit control list, India asked to come up with 'concrete evidence'

Hafiz Saeed, co-founder of outlawed militant organisation Lashkar-e-Taiba, hopes his detention will give&nbsp;a &quot;fresh impetus&quot; to the Kashmiris&#39; &quot;struggle against India&quot;.

Saeed, who was allowed to hold a press conference before being detained, also accused the US of orchestrating his arrest.

Accused by India of plotting the 2008 Mumbai attacks, Saeed is also the founder of Jamaat-ud-Dawa, a front organisation of the LeT.

&quot;If someone thinks that placing me under house arrest will help check freedom movement in Kashmir he is living in a fool&#39;s paradise. My arrest will give a fresh impetus to the Kashmiris&#39; struggle against India,&quot; he said. 
 
Sixty eight-year-old Saeed further said if Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi thinks that he would get respite in Kashmir after his arrest he is seriously mistaken. 
 
&quot;We have declared 2017 a year of solidarity for Kashmiris,&quot; he said adding that all programmes planned for February 5 will be held across Pakistan and PoK.

Saeed was detained yesterday at JuD&#39;s Lahore headquarters at Masjid Al-Qudsia Chauburji and was later shifted to his Jauhar Town residence which has been declared as a sub-jail by authorities in Punjab province. 
 
&quot;The government has detained Saeed and four other JuD and Falaha-i-Insanyat (FIF) leaders for 90 days with effect from January 30 but this detention may further be extended on completion of this period if required,&quot; an interior ministry official said. 
 
The government may take some further steps against the JuD and its sister organisations in coming days, the official said, adding that the names of several activists of JuD and FIF, a charity run by Saeed, have been placed on Exit Control List (ECL) to stop them from leaving the country. 
 
Saeed has vowed to challenge his house arrest in the Lahore high court.

(WION with inputs from PTI)

The supposed Mumbai attacks plotter said the Indian government was mistaken if they feel his arrest would curb the unrest in Kashmir

Hafiz Saeed, co-founder of outlawed militant organisation Lashkar-e-Taiba, hopes his detention will give a "fresh impetus" to the Kashmiris' "struggle against India". Saeed, who was allowed to hold a press conference before being detained, also accused the US of orchestrating his arrest. Accused by India of plotting the 2008 Mumbai attacks, Saeed is also the founder of Jamaat-ud-Dawa, a front organisation of the LeT. "If someone thinks that placing me under house arrest will help check freedom movement in Kashmir he is living in a fool's paradise. My arrest will give a fresh impetus to the Kashmiris' struggle against India," he said. Sixty eight-year-old Saeed further said if Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi thinks that he would get respite in Kashmir after his arrest he is seriously mistaken. "We have declared 2017 a year of solidarity for Kashmiris," he said adding that all programmes planned for February 5 will be held across Pakistan and PoK. Saeed was detained yesterday at JuD's Lahore headquarters at Masjid Al-Qudsia Chauburji and was later shifted to his Jauhar Town residence which has been declared as a sub-jail by authorities in Punjab province. "The government has detained Saeed and four other JuD and Falaha-i-Insanyat (FIF) leaders for 90 days with effect from January 30 but this detention may further be extended on completion of this period if required," an interior ministry official said. The government may take some further steps against the JuD and its sister organisations in coming days, the official said, adding that the names of several activists of JuD and FIF, a charity run by Saeed, have been placed on Exit Control List (ECL) to stop them from leaving the country. Saeed has vowed to challenge his house arrest in the Lahore high court. (WION with inputs from PTI)

Hafiz Saeed hopes detention will boost Kashmiris' 'struggle against India'

Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed and four others have&nbsp;been put under detention&nbsp;in Pakistan&#39;s Punjab province.

Saeed&nbsp;&quot;is at Masjid-e-Qadsia Chauburji and a heavy contingent of police has surrounded the JuD headquarters,&quot; JuD official Ahmed Nadeem, who was present at the premises of the outfit, told PTI by phone.

&quot;The commanding police officer told us that he has with him the house arrest order of the JuD chief issued by the Punjab Home Department,&quot; Nadeem said.

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The interior ministry, in its January 27 order, has put the two organisations -- Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation and Jamaat-ud-Daawa -- on the Watch List and have listed these organisations in the second schedule of the ATA 1997 (as amended). (WION)
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&quot;My detention orders are unlawful and we will challenge them in the court,&quot; Saeed told reporters,&nbsp;AFP reported.

Pakistan&#39;s Dunya news said Jamaat ud-Dawa (JuD) is most likely to be banned tonight (Monday) by the Pakistan government and its leadership may also be arrested, claims Pakistan media.

Hafiz Saeed, the&nbsp;founder of JuD which serves as the front for the banned terrorist organisation Lashkar-e-Taiba(LeT),&nbsp;is the most wanted Pakistani terrorist&nbsp;in India for his alleged links to the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.

The interior ministry, in its January 27 order, has put the two organisations -- Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation and Jamaat-ud-Daawa -- on the Watch List and have listed these organisations in the second schedule of the ATA 1997 (as amended). The notification also asked&nbsp;the home secretary of Pakistan&#39;s Punjab province to&nbsp;&quot;kindly direct the concerned agencies to move and take necessary action&quot; as the matter &quot;is most urgent&quot;.

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Hafiz Saeed, the founder of banned terrorist organisation Lashkar-e-Taiba(LeT), is the most wanted Pakistan terrorist in India for his alleged links to the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.(Courtesy: Geo News) (Others)
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Earlier during the day, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said that the government was &quot;bound to take steps to fulfil our obligation&quot; with regard to JuD, PTI reported.

&quot;The organisation [JuD] has been &#39;under observation&#39; since 2010-11. Since it has also been listed by the UN Security Council [Sanctions Committee], we are bound to take some steps. We are taking those steps to fulfill our obligations,&quot; he told reporters after inaugurating a passport office in Islamabad.

JuD was declared a foreign terrorist organisation by the United States in June 2014. Saeed carries a reward of $10 million announced by the United States.

(WION with inputs from agencies)

Pakistan's Dunya news said Jamaat ud-Dawa is most likely to be banned tonight by the Pakistan government and its leadership may be arrested

Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed and four others have been put under detention in Pakistan's Punjab province. Saeed "is at Masjid-e-Qadsia Chauburji and a heavy contingent of police has surrounded the JuD headquarters," JuD official Ahmed Nadeem, who was present at the premises of the outfit, told PTI by phone. "The commanding police officer told us that he has with him the house arrest order of the JuD chief issued by the Punjab Home Department," Nadeem said. The interior ministry, in its January 27 order, has put the two organisations -- Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation and Jamaat-ud-Daawa -- on the Watch List and have listed these organisations in the second schedule of the ATA 1997 (as amended). (WION) × "My detention orders are unlawful and we will challenge them in the court," Saeed told reporters, AFP reported. Pakistan's Dunya news said Jamaat ud-Dawa (JuD) is most likely to be banned tonight (Monday) by the Pakistan government and its leadership may also be arrested, claims Pakistan media. Hafiz Saeed, the founder of JuD which serves as the front for the banned terrorist organisation Lashkar-e-Taiba(LeT), is the most wanted Pakistani terrorist in India for his alleged links to the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. The interior ministry, in its January 27 order, has put the two organisations -- Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation and Jamaat-ud-Daawa -- on the Watch List and have listed these organisations in the second schedule of the ATA 1997 (as amended). The notification also asked the home secretary of Pakistan's Punjab province to "kindly direct the concerned agencies to move and take necessary action" as the matter "is most urgent". Hafiz Saeed, the founder of banned terrorist organisation Lashkar-e-Taiba(LeT), is the most wanted Pakistan terrorist in India for his alleged links to the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.(Courtesy: Geo News) (Others) × Earlier during the day, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said that the government was "bound to take steps to fulfil our obligation" with regard to JuD, PTI reported. "The organisation [JuD] has been 'under observation' since 2010-11. Since it has also been listed by the UN Security Council [Sanctions Committee], we are bound to take some steps. We are taking those steps to fulfill our obligations," he told reporters after inaugurating a passport office in Islamabad. JuD was declared a foreign terrorist organisation by the United States in June 2014. Saeed carries a reward of $10 million announced by the United States. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Pakistan: Hafiz Saeed, four others put under house arrest

Terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba was behind the 2016 attacks in Uri and Handwara in Jammu and Kashmir and not Jaish-e-Muhammad as was previously believed, India&#39;s anti-terror agency said.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

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Investigation reveals that LeT was behind Uri and Handwara(J&amp;K) attacks and not JeM: NIA sources
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/821967141461053440">January 19, 2017</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

India&#39;s National Investigation Agency&#39;s preliminary investigation had indicated that Jaish-e-Muhammad orchestrated a deadly attack on an Indian army installation in September 2016, killing 19 soldiers, which eventually exacerbated relations between India and Pakistan.&nbsp; 
 
Nearly three weeks later, three militants engaged in a fierce gunbattle with India troops in Handwara. The gunmen were eventually gunned down by Indian soldiers and a huge cache of arms and ammunition was recovered from them.&nbsp;

But the volte-face in NIA&#39;s findings suggest that Hafiz Saeed-led Lashkar-e-Taiba, which has been blamed for several fidayeen attacks including the 2008 Mumbai attacks, were responsible for the attacks in restive Kashmir.

Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba has routinely attacked India over the years as it attempts to &quot;liberate&quot; Kashmir from India. LeT has been recognised as a terrorist organisation by India, the United States, Russia and the European Union.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, the NIA&#39;s initial report believes JeM to be responsible for November&#39;s Nagrota attack that claimed the loss of seven Indian soldiers.

Kashmir was a crucible of lethal fidayeen attacks last year, especially after a commander of pro-Kashmir freedom organisation Burhan Wani was killed by Indian security forces in an encounter and India allegedly carried out surgical strikes to neutralise terror camps based in Pakistan.&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from ANI) 
&nbsp;

The findings buttress India's claim that Pakistan is supporting terror groups wage lethal attacks on India

Terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba was behind the 2016 attacks in Uri and Handwara in Jammu and Kashmir and not Jaish-e-Muhammad as was previously believed, India's anti-terror agency said. Investigation reveals that LeT was behind Uri and Handwara(J&K) attacks and not JeM: NIA sources — ANI (@ANI_news) January 19, 2017 × India's National Investigation Agency's preliminary investigation had indicated that Jaish-e-Muhammad orchestrated a deadly attack on an Indian army installation in September 2016, killing 19 soldiers, which eventually exacerbated relations between India and Pakistan. Nearly three weeks later, three militants engaged in a fierce gunbattle with India troops in Handwara. The gunmen were eventually gunned down by Indian soldiers and a huge cache of arms and ammunition was recovered from them. But the volte-face in NIA's findings suggest that Hafiz Saeed-led Lashkar-e-Taiba, which has been blamed for several fidayeen attacks including the 2008 Mumbai attacks, were responsible for the attacks in restive Kashmir. Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba has routinely attacked India over the years as it attempts to "liberate" Kashmir from India. LeT has been recognised as a terrorist organisation by India, the United States, Russia and the European Union. Meanwhile, the NIA's initial report believes JeM to be responsible for November's Nagrota attack that claimed the loss of seven Indian soldiers. Kashmir was a crucible of lethal fidayeen attacks last year, especially after a commander of pro-Kashmir freedom organisation Burhan Wani was killed by Indian security forces in an encounter and India allegedly carried out surgical strikes to neutralise terror camps based in Pakistan. (WION with inputs from ANI)

Lashkar behind Uri, Handwara attacks in Kashmir, not Jaish: India's anti-terror agency

More than a month after Indian Army said it had conducted surgical strikes in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, Jammat-ud-Dawah chief and&nbsp;the alleged mastermind of Mumbai terror attack, Hafiz Saeed, has threatened India with a &quot;surgical strike&quot; by Kashmiri militants in the northernmost state.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&quot;(Prime Minister Narendra) Modi had done what he had to. Now it is the turn of Mujahideen (Islamic guerilla fighters) to carry out a surgical strike in Kashmir,&quot; Saeed &nbsp;threatened while addressing a rally on Sunday in Mirpur in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, Indian news agency PTI reported.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&quot;The surgical strike Mujahideen are going to carry out will long be remembered. Such a strike will not be like that of India&#39;s one which is not even acknowledged by the world,&quot; Saeed, the founder of Lashkar-e-Taiba millitant organisation, was quoted as saying.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Last week, Saeed, who carries a USD 10-million bounty on his head, critisised the Nawaz Sharif-led Pakistan government for giving a soft response to India over alleged atrocities in Kashmir.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

He said people in the Kashmir Valley need Pakistan&#39;s full practical support.

&nbsp;

Earlier, Saeed had warned the Modi government and had said that it should brace up to face surgical strikes by Pakistan Army.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from PTI)&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Saeed, the founder of militant organisation, LeT, threatened "surgical strike" by Kashmiri militants in Jammu and Kashmir

More than a month after Indian Army said it had conducted surgical strikes in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, Jammat-ud-Dawah chief and the alleged mastermind of Mumbai terror attack, Hafiz Saeed, has threatened India with a "surgical strike" by Kashmiri militants in the northernmost state. "(Prime Minister Narendra) Modi had done what he had to. Now it is the turn of Mujahideen (Islamic guerilla fighters) to carry out a surgical strike in Kashmir," Saeed threatened while addressing a rally on Sunday in Mirpur in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, Indian news agency PTI reported. "The surgical strike Mujahideen are going to carry out will long be remembered. Such a strike will not be like that of India's one which is not even acknowledged by the world," Saeed, the founder of Lashkar-e-Taiba millitant organisation, was quoted as saying. Last week, Saeed, who carries a USD 10-million bounty on his head, critisised the Nawaz Sharif-led Pakistan government for giving a soft response to India over alleged atrocities in Kashmir. He said people in the Kashmir Valley need Pakistan's full practical support. Earlier, Saeed had warned the Modi government and had said that it should brace up to face surgical strikes by Pakistan Army. (WION with inputs from PTI)

Hafiz Saeed threatens India with 'surgical strikes' ?

Banned Islamist organisation Jamaat-ud-Dawa chief Hafiz Saeed has chided Pakistan for going soft on India over human rights violations in Kashmir.

&quot;The Pakistani government&#39;s response to India over atrocities in Kashmir is cool and by doing so it is not pleading the case of oppressed Kashmiris,&quot; Saeed said during a Friday sermon at JuD headquarters Masjid-e-Qadsia, PTI reported.

Saeed said this was the time people in Kashmir needed Pakistan&#39;s &quot;full practical support&quot;.&nbsp;

Jamaat-ud-Dawa is believed to be a front group of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), an outfit that has been blamed by India for carrying out the 2001 Parliament attack and 2008 Mumbai attacks.

Saeed&#39;s goading comes a few days after he urged Pakistan&#39;s political establishment to unite and stave off pressure being put on them by several countries, especially India.

He had blamed India for diverting the attention from Kashmir after four armed men launched an assault on an Indian military installation in Uri, which left 19&nbsp;soldiers dead, in September.

India-administered Kashmir has been a crucible of deadly protests following the death of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani on July 8.

Over 80 Kashmiris have died during clashes between Indian security personnel and residents protesting Wani&#39;s death.&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from PTI)

Hafiz Saeed urged Pakistan to help people in Kashmir as this was the time they needed Islamabad's 'full practical support'

Banned Islamist organisation Jamaat-ud-Dawa chief Hafiz Saeed has chided Pakistan for going soft on India over human rights violations in Kashmir. "The Pakistani government's response to India over atrocities in Kashmir is cool and by doing so it is not pleading the case of oppressed Kashmiris," Saeed said during a Friday sermon at JuD headquarters Masjid-e-Qadsia, PTI reported. Saeed said this was the time people in Kashmir needed Pakistan's "full practical support". Jamaat-ud-Dawa is believed to be a front group of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), an outfit that has been blamed by India for carrying out the 2001 Parliament attack and 2008 Mumbai attacks. Saeed's goading comes a few days after he urged Pakistan's political establishment to unite and stave off pressure being put on them by several countries, especially India. He had blamed India for diverting the attention from Kashmir after four armed men launched an assault on an Indian military installation in Uri, which left 19 soldiers dead, in September. India-administered Kashmir has been a crucible of deadly protests following the death of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani on July 8. Over 80 Kashmiris have died during clashes between Indian security personnel and residents protesting Wani's death. (WION with inputs from PTI)

Jamaat-ud-Dawa chief chides Pakistan for 'cool' response to Kashmir ferment

A leading Pakistani daily on Wednesday asked the civilian and military establishment why action against JeM chief Masood Azhar and JuD&#39;s Hafiz Saeed was &quot;danger&quot; to the country&#39;s national security.

The strong editorial in The Nation, considered close to the government and military establishment, came as a prominent <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/senior-pakistani-journalist-barred-from-leaving-country-after-writing-isi-government-showdown-report-7341/">journalist Cyril Almeida&nbsp;</a>of Dawn was banned&nbsp;from leaving Pakistan because of his front-page report on a rift between the military and the civilian government over the military&#39;s covert support to militant groups like the Haqqani network, Taliban and the LeT.

The editorial titled &#39;How to Lose Friends And Alienate People&#39; said the government and the military instead of taking actions against Azhar and Saeed was lecturing the press.

Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) leader and Pathankot terror attack mastermind Azhar and Jamaat-ud-Dawah (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed, the mastermind of the 2008 Mumbai attacks, roam freely in Pakistan and are believed to have the protection of the military.

The daily said in its editorial that it was a &quot;disturbing day when civilian and military top leadership meet to lecture the media on how to do their job.&quot;

&quot;Apparently a barrage of online abuse, and three official denials were not enough to assuage tempers riled after Almeida&#39;s exclusive story in Dawn, detailing an unusual exchange between the very same civilian and military top brass that yesterday issued forth a statement on the violation of &#39;universally acknowledged principles of reporting on national security issues&#39;, the editorial said.

&quot;The report by Almeida has been called &#39;fabricated&#39;, and &#39;speculative reporting&#39;. But the government and military top brass in yesterday&#39;s meeting delivered no explanation for why government MNA&#39;s are protesting the visible presence of banned outfits in Pakistan. Or why possible action against Masood Azhar, or Hafiz Saeed is a danger to &#39;national security&#39;. Or why Pakistan faces increasing isolation? We&#39;re all ears. &quot;

&quot;Instead, how dare the government and military top brass lecture the press on how to do their job. How dare they treat a feted reporter like a criminal. And how dare they imply that they have either the right or the ability or the monopoly to declare what Pakistan&#39;s &#39;national interest&#39; is,&quot; it said.

&quot;And for Almeida, nothing but solidarity. More power to you, and to your pen. The press stands with you,&quot; it added.

In an editorial, Dawn said it continues to stand-by Almeida&#39;s story and has rejected allegations of &quot;vested interest and false reporting&quot;.

The Karachi Press Club has also demanded that the travel ban on Almeida be lifted.

(PTI)

The editorial backed Cyril Almeda who recently reported about a government, army showdown over the latter's jihadi policies

A leading Pakistani daily on Wednesday asked the civilian and military establishment why action against JeM chief Masood Azhar and JuD's Hafiz Saeed was "danger" to the country's national security. The strong editorial in The Nation, considered close to the government and military establishment, came as a prominent journalist Cyril Almeida of Dawn was banned from leaving Pakistan because of his front-page report on a rift between the military and the civilian government over the military's covert support to militant groups like the Haqqani network, Taliban and the LeT. The editorial titled 'How to Lose Friends And Alienate People' said the government and the military instead of taking actions against Azhar and Saeed was lecturing the press. Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) leader and Pathankot terror attack mastermind Azhar and Jamaat-ud-Dawah (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed, the mastermind of the 2008 Mumbai attacks, roam freely in Pakistan and are believed to have the protection of the military. The daily said in its editorial that it was a "disturbing day when civilian and military top leadership meet to lecture the media on how to do their job." "Apparently a barrage of online abuse, and three official denials were not enough to assuage tempers riled after Almeida's exclusive story in Dawn, detailing an unusual exchange between the very same civilian and military top brass that yesterday issued forth a statement on the violation of 'universally acknowledged principles of reporting on national security issues', the editorial said. "The report by Almeida has been called 'fabricated', and 'speculative reporting'. But the government and military top brass in yesterday's meeting delivered no explanation for why government MNA's are protesting the visible presence of banned outfits in Pakistan. Or why possible action against Masood Azhar, or Hafiz Saeed is a danger to 'national security'. Or why Pakistan faces increasing isolation? We're all ears. " "Instead, how dare the government and military top brass lecture the press on how to do their job. How dare they treat a feted reporter like a criminal. And how dare they imply that they have either the right or the ability or the monopoly to declare what Pakistan's 'national interest' is," it said. "And for Almeida, nothing but solidarity. More power to you, and to your pen. The press stands with you," it added. In an editorial, Dawn said it continues to stand-by Almeida's story and has rejected allegations of "vested interest and false reporting". The Karachi Press Club has also demanded that the travel ban on Almeida be lifted. (PTI)

Why is action against Azhar, Saeed a danger to national security, Pakistan daily asks government

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