An anti-terrorism court in Pakistan has sentenced three activists of the Masood Azhar-led Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) for five years each in jail for arranging funds for the proscribed terror outfit amid pressure from the global community to rein in militant groups.

The Anti-Terrorism Court found the trio guilty in three separate cases on Friday after funds collected for the militant outfit were recovered from them. They were sent to central prison in Gujranwala in Punjab province.

The convicts M Iftikhar, Muhammad Ajmal and Bilal were also fined Rs 45,000, Rs 50,000 and Rs 40,000 respectively besides the sentence.

The Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) in Gujranwala had earlier registered a case against them, the Express Tribune reported.

According to Punjab CTD spokesperson, the investigations and prosecutions "are being followed to stop proscribed organisations from indulging in terror financing."

The spokesperson warned these organisations and their leaders to desist from such acts or action would be taken against them.

Pakistan launched a crackdown against supporters of militant outfits after pressure from the international community to stop support to the militant groups.

Three members of the Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed-led Jamaat-ud-Dawa were arrested Thursday on charges of terror financing in Punjab province.

Six JeM members were arrested for allegedly collecting funds for the terror group on Wednesday.

On Monday, three terrorists belonging to the Islamic State (IS) and Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ) militant groups were arrested by the CTD officials in Pakistan's Punjab province.

Last week, six activists of the JeM and the Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ) were arrested by the CTD from Gujranwala, Rawalpindi, Multan and Lahore for allegedly collecting funds to finance terrorism.

Paris-based international terror financing watchdog FATF in June last year placed Pakistan onto its watch list in a bid to push the country to halt support for militant groups.

In February, the FATF decided to continue the 'Grey' listing of Pakistan for its failure to stop funding of terrorist groups such as the JeM, the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and the JuD.

The Pakistan government arrested over 100 members of banned outfits including JeM chief Azhar's son and brother and also taken control of JeM, JuD and FIF's properties including seminaries and mosques across the country.&nbsp;

An anti-terrorism court in Pakistan has sentenced three activists of the Masood Azhar-led Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) for five years each in jail for arranging funds for the proscribed terror outfit amid pressure from the global community to rein in militant groups.

An anti-terrorism court in Pakistan has sentenced three activists of the Masood Azhar-led Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) for five years each in jail for arranging funds for the proscribed terror outfit amid pressure from the global community to rein in militant groups. The Anti-Terrorism Court found the trio guilty in three separate cases on Friday after funds collected for the militant outfit were recovered from them. They were sent to central prison in Gujranwala in Punjab province. The convicts M Iftikhar, Muhammad Ajmal and Bilal were also fined Rs 45,000, Rs 50,000 and Rs 40,000 respectively besides the sentence. The Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) in Gujranwala had earlier registered a case against them, the Express Tribune reported. According to Punjab CTD spokesperson, the investigations and prosecutions "are being followed to stop proscribed organisations from indulging in terror financing." The spokesperson warned these organisations and their leaders to desist from such acts or action would be taken against them. Pakistan launched a crackdown against supporters of militant outfits after pressure from the international community to stop support to the militant groups. Three members of the Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed-led Jamaat-ud-Dawa were arrested Thursday on charges of terror financing in Punjab province. Six JeM members were arrested for allegedly collecting funds for the terror group on Wednesday. On Monday, three terrorists belonging to the Islamic State (IS) and Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ) militant groups were arrested by the CTD officials in Pakistan's Punjab province. Last week, six activists of the JeM and the Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ) were arrested by the CTD from Gujranwala, Rawalpindi, Multan and Lahore for allegedly collecting funds to finance terrorism. Paris-based international terror financing watchdog FATF in June last year placed Pakistan onto its watch list in a bid to push the country to halt support for militant groups. In February, the FATF decided to continue the 'Grey' listing of Pakistan for its failure to stop funding of terrorist groups such as the JeM, the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and the JuD. The Pakistan government arrested over 100 members of banned outfits including JeM chief Azhar's son and brother and also taken control of JeM, JuD and FIF's properties including seminaries and mosques across the country.

Pakistan court sentences three Jaish-e-Mohammed activists for terror funding

A court Monday restrained Pakistan's top anti-graft body from arresting Hamza Shehbaz, the Opposition Leader in the Punjab Assembly and the son of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz chief Shehbaz Sharif.

A two-judge bench of the Lahore High Court, headed by Justice Malik Shehzad Ahmed Khan, restrained the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) from arresting Hamza until further notice, Geo TV reported.

The court also ordered Hamza to pay surety bonds worth Rs 10 million and issued a notice to NAB seeking its reply in the matter.

A NAB team had carried out two successive raids on Friday and Saturday at Shehbaz's Model Town residence to arrest Hamza.&nbsp;

During Monday's hearing, Hamza's lawyer told the court, "In an earlier order, the high court had directed that Hamza is informed 10 days prior to his arrest. The LHC had granted bail to my client in the Ramzan Sugar Mills case."

The PML-N leader's counsel further said Hamza is the opposition leader in the Punjab Assembly and the 10-day order had been issued to the relevant forum can be approached for bail.&nbsp;

Hamza is seeking pre-arrest bail so he can appear before NAB, the council added.

Justice Shehzad then asked the NAB prosecutor regarding the cases in which they are seeking to arrest Hamza. At this, the PML-N leader's counsel said his arrest warrants have been issued in a case pertaining to assets beyond known sources of income.

"Three cases against Hamza are being probed in NAB Lahore," the NAB prosecutor said.

Hamza's lawyer then said, "NAB should share evidence against us and we will respond. Hamza had also approached LHC before this on November 1 and is innocent."

However, the NAB prosecutor stated, "We have solid evidence against Hamza. On April 3, an inquiry against Hamza was upgraded to an investigation. Hamza's earlier bail petition had been declared ineffective and the Supreme Court has issued a ruling on this matter."

At this, the bench said, "Both the matters are separate."

After hearing arguments of both sides, the court restrained NAB from arresting Hamza until further notice and sought a reply from the accountability bureau.&nbsp;

The hearing of the case has been adjourned till April 17.

On Saturday, the LHC issued a short order granting interim bail to Hamza until April 8.&nbsp;

A court Monday restrained Pakistan's top anti-graft body from arresting Hamza Shehbaz, the Opposition Leader in the Punjab Assembly and the son of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz chief Shehbaz Sharif.

A court Monday restrained Pakistan's top anti-graft body from arresting Hamza Shehbaz, the Opposition Leader in the Punjab Assembly and the son of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz chief Shehbaz Sharif. A two-judge bench of the Lahore High Court, headed by Justice Malik Shehzad Ahmed Khan, restrained the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) from arresting Hamza until further notice, Geo TV reported. The court also ordered Hamza to pay surety bonds worth Rs 10 million and issued a notice to NAB seeking its reply in the matter. A NAB team had carried out two successive raids on Friday and Saturday at Shehbaz's Model Town residence to arrest Hamza. During Monday's hearing, Hamza's lawyer told the court, "In an earlier order, the high court had directed that Hamza is informed 10 days prior to his arrest. The LHC had granted bail to my client in the Ramzan Sugar Mills case." The PML-N leader's counsel further said Hamza is the opposition leader in the Punjab Assembly and the 10-day order had been issued to the relevant forum can be approached for bail. Hamza is seeking pre-arrest bail so he can appear before NAB, the council added. Justice Shehzad then asked the NAB prosecutor regarding the cases in which they are seeking to arrest Hamza. At this, the PML-N leader's counsel said his arrest warrants have been issued in a case pertaining to assets beyond known sources of income. "Three cases against Hamza are being probed in NAB Lahore," the NAB prosecutor said. Hamza's lawyer then said, "NAB should share evidence against us and we will respond. Hamza had also approached LHC before this on November 1 and is innocent." However, the NAB prosecutor stated, "We have solid evidence against Hamza. On April 3, an inquiry against Hamza was upgraded to an investigation. Hamza's earlier bail petition had been declared ineffective and the Supreme Court has issued a ruling on this matter." At this, the bench said, "Both the matters are separate." After hearing arguments of both sides, the court restrained NAB from arresting Hamza until further notice and sought a reply from the accountability bureau. The hearing of the case has been adjourned till April 17. On Saturday, the LHC issued a short order granting interim bail to Hamza until April 8.

Pakistan court restrains anti-graft body from arresting Hamza Shehbaz

A top court Thursday granted bail to <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistans-punjab-government-seeks-shehbazs-islamabad-residence-to-be-declared-as-sub-jail-182703">Shehbaz Sharif</a> in two corruption cases, in a major relief to the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief and Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly who is currently in jail.

A two-member bench of the Lahore High Court headed by Justice Malik Shahzad Ahmed accepted Sharif's plea and granted him bail in the Rs 1400 crore Ashiyana Housing and Ramzan Sugar Mills scams.

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had taken 67-year-old Sharif, the younger brother of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/nawaz-sharif-suffering-from-kidney-stone-195069">jailed prime minister Nawaz Sharif</a>, into custody on October 5. He is accused of allegedly cancelling the contract of a successful bidder in the scheme and awarding the same to his favourite firm.

Sharif, who has been in the Kot Lakhpat jail Lahore, declared the verdict "a victory of truth".

He said false cases were instituted against him on "political grounds". He said if corruption of a penny is proved against him, he will quit politics.

In both cases, the NAB prosecutor failed to present evidence and witnesses in support of its claim of corruption against Sharif.

Sharif served as the chief minister of the politically crucial Punjab province from 2013 to 2018. He became PML-N president after his elder brother was barred from holding the top party position and public posts.

Nawaz is also serving seven-year imprisonment in Al-Azizia Mills corruption case in the Kot Lakhpat jail.

He has filed a bail application in the Islamabad high court on medical grounds. Nawaz has heart-related complications and the multi-disciplinary medical board constituted by the government has recommended his care in a cardiac facility 24 hrs a day.&nbsp;

A top court Thursday granted bail to Shehbaz Sharif in two corruption cases, in a major relief to the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief and Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly who is currently in jail.

A top court Thursday granted bail to Shehbaz Sharif in two corruption cases, in a major relief to the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief and Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly who is currently in jail. A two-member bench of the Lahore High Court headed by Justice Malik Shahzad Ahmed accepted Sharif's plea and granted him bail in the Rs 1400 crore Ashiyana Housing and Ramzan Sugar Mills scams. The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had taken 67-year-old Sharif, the younger brother of jailed prime minister Nawaz Sharif, into custody on October 5. He is accused of allegedly cancelling the contract of a successful bidder in the scheme and awarding the same to his favourite firm. Sharif, who has been in the Kot Lakhpat jail Lahore, declared the verdict "a victory of truth". He said false cases were instituted against him on "political grounds". He said if corruption of a penny is proved against him, he will quit politics. In both cases, the NAB prosecutor failed to present evidence and witnesses in support of its claim of corruption against Sharif. Sharif served as the chief minister of the politically crucial Punjab province from 2013 to 2018. He became PML-N president after his elder brother was barred from holding the top party position and public posts. Nawaz is also serving seven-year imprisonment in Al-Azizia Mills corruption case in the Kot Lakhpat jail. He has filed a bail application in the Islamabad high court on medical grounds. Nawaz has heart-related complications and the multi-disciplinary medical board constituted by the government has recommended his care in a cardiac facility 24 hrs a day.

Pakistan court grants bail to PML-N chief Shehbaz Sharif

An anti-corruption court in <a href="http://www.wionews.com/pakistan">Pakistan</a> will deliver its judgment on Monday in <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/two-corruption-cases-against-nawaz-sharif-pakistan-court-judgement-due-on-december-24-185940">two remaining corruption cases</a> against ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif.

Judge Muhammad Arshad Malik of Islamabad-based accountability court last week reserved the judgment after completion of hearing in the Flagship Investment and Al-Azizia cases against 68-year-old Sharif. 
 
The Supreme Court set the deadline for Monday to wrap up the remaining two corruption cases against the three-time former prime minister. 
 
If found guilty, Sharif can be sentenced up to 14 years in jail. 
 
Sharif arrived in Islamabad from Lahore on Sunday, a day ahead of the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistans-court-to-announce-verdict-on-former-pm-nawaz-sharif-in-corruption-cases-185667">verdict</a>. He is expected to hear the judgement in the courtroom. 
 
Entry to the accountability court has been restricted. No one will be allowed to attend proceedings on Monday except those having the permission of the registrar, the Dawn reported. 
 
PML-N workers have gathered outside the court premises to show their support for the party's supreme leader. 
 
Security has been beefed up around the judicial complex, with heavy contingents of police and Rangers deployed around the building and along roads leading to the court. 
 
The accountability court had indicted Sharif for holding assets beyond his known sources of income in August 2017. 
 
Last week, the judge rejected the application by Sharif's lawyer Khawaja Harris to provide one week time to submit more documents but allowed him to provide any document by Friday last. 
 
The judge also observed that the court was bound to follow December 24 final deadline set by the Supreme Court.

Three cases&nbsp;Avenfield properties case, Flagship Investment case and Al-Azizia steel mills case&nbsp;were launched by the National Accountability Bureau on September 8, 2017, following a judgment by the apex court that disqualified Sharif.

The apex court initially set a six-month deadline to conclude the cases but it subsequently increased around eight times on the request of the accountability court.

Sharif was disqualified by the Supreme Court in the Panama Papers case in July 2017.

In July 2018 Sharif, his daughter Maryam and his son-in-law retired captain Mohammad Safdar were sentenced to 11 years, eight years and one year respectively in prison in the Avenfield properties case related to their purchase of four luxury flats in London through corrupt practices. However, the three were bailed out by the Islamabad High Court in September.

His two sons Hassan and Hussain&nbsp;were also co-accused in all three cases but they were declared absconders for failing to appear before the court even for a single time.

The court decided to hear their cases separately once they returned back.

The three-time former prime minister and his family have denied any wrongdoing.

Sharif, who religiously followed the proceeding by appearing before the court for at least 78 times, told the media after the court reserved the judgment last week that he not committed any corruption.

"Not a penny of corruption has been proven against me? I am very happy that I have done my duty, and I think that since I have stepped in politics I have never indulged in corruption nor have misused my power," he said.

Veteran politician Javed Hashmi on Saturday predicted that Sharif will be convicted in the Flagship and Al-Azizia case as "the institutions won't let these (cases) prove false".

Talking to the media in Multan, he said that the purpose of the NAB was to make politicians change their political loyalties.

"I will not accept this decision as Nawaz Sharif will be convicted at any cost," he was quoted as saying by Dawn newspaper.&nbsp;

An anti-corruption court in Pakistan will deliver its judgment on Monday in two remaining corruption cases against ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif. Judge Muhammad Arshad Malik of Islamabad-based accountability court last week reserved the judgment after completion of hearing in the Flagship Investment and Al-Azizia cases against 68-year-old Sharif.

An anti-corruption court in Pakistan will deliver its judgment on Monday in two remaining corruption cases against ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif. Judge Muhammad Arshad Malik of Islamabad-based accountability court last week reserved the judgment after completion of hearing in the Flagship Investment and Al-Azizia cases against 68-year-old Sharif. The Supreme Court set the deadline for Monday to wrap up the remaining two corruption cases against the three-time former prime minister. If found guilty, Sharif can be sentenced up to 14 years in jail. Sharif arrived in Islamabad from Lahore on Sunday, a day ahead of the verdict. He is expected to hear the judgement in the courtroom. Entry to the accountability court has been restricted. No one will be allowed to attend proceedings on Monday except those having the permission of the registrar, the Dawn reported. PML-N workers have gathered outside the court premises to show their support for the party's supreme leader. Security has been beefed up around the judicial complex, with heavy contingents of police and Rangers deployed around the building and along roads leading to the court. The accountability court had indicted Sharif for holding assets beyond his known sources of income in August 2017. Last week, the judge rejected the application by Sharif's lawyer Khawaja Harris to provide one week time to submit more documents but allowed him to provide any document by Friday last. The judge also observed that the court was bound to follow December 24 final deadline set by the Supreme Court. Three cases Avenfield properties case, Flagship Investment case and Al-Azizia steel mills case were launched by the National Accountability Bureau on September 8, 2017, following a judgment by the apex court that disqualified Sharif. The apex court initially set a six-month deadline to conclude the cases but it subsequently increased around eight times on the request of the accountability court. Sharif was disqualified by the Supreme Court in the Panama Papers case in July 2017. In July 2018 Sharif, his daughter Maryam and his son-in-law retired captain Mohammad Safdar were sentenced to 11 years, eight years and one year respectively in prison in the Avenfield properties case related to their purchase of four luxury flats in London through corrupt practices. However, the three were bailed out by the Islamabad High Court in September. His two sons Hassan and Hussain were also co-accused in all three cases but they were declared absconders for failing to appear before the court even for a single time. The court decided to hear their cases separately once they returned back. The three-time former prime minister and his family have denied any wrongdoing. Sharif, who religiously followed the proceeding by appearing before the court for at least 78 times, told the media after the court reserved the judgment last week that he not committed any corruption. "Not a penny of corruption has been proven against me? I am very happy that I have done my duty, and I think that since I have stepped in politics I have never indulged in corruption nor have misused my power," he said. Veteran politician Javed Hashmi on Saturday predicted that Sharif will be convicted in the Flagship and Al-Azizia case as "the institutions won't let these (cases) prove false". Talking to the media in Multan, he said that the purpose of the NAB was to make politicians change their political loyalties. "I will not accept this decision as Nawaz Sharif will be convicted at any cost," he was quoted as saying by Dawn newspaper.

Pakistan court to deliver judgment in two corruption cases against Sharif

Pakistan court on Thursday ordered the release of an <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/wion-exclusive-pakistan-refuses-to-remit-sentence-of-indian-national-trapped-in-jail-23027">Indian citizen Hamid Nehal Ansari </a>who went missing in the country&nbsp;in 2012.

Ansari who was&nbsp;sentenced to three years of imprisonment in 2016 by a military court in Pakistan on <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-says-it-awaits-consular-access-to-kulbhushan-jadhav-28279">charges of espionage</a>, has already spent six years in the Pak prison.

His term in the jail is due to end on December 13, however, the Pakistan&nbsp;court said that the complete process for the release of Ansari will take a month.

Ansari had filed a plea for remissions in his sentence which was rejected by Pakistan in 2017.

A remission or a shortening of a sentence is usually given to prisoners in lieu of good behaviour.&nbsp;

The jail authorities had rejected his plea claiming&nbsp;that the remission rules do not apply to him and he was charged and convicted for anti-state activities.

Ansari's lawyer, Qazi Mohammad Anwar had claimed Ansari should be granted remission since he was not involved in the anti-state activity.

Ansari initially went missing in Pakistan in 2012 after he crossed over from Afghanistan.

Ansari had come to Pakistan because of a love affair over the Internet.

The girl's family complained to authorities that he was travelling illegally, leading to his arrest in 2012. However, his arrest was not shown officially until 2016, when the authorities told the courts that he had been tried for espionage at a military court.

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Pakistan court on Thursday ordered the release of an Indian citizen Hamid Nehal Ansari who went missing in the country in 2012. Ansari who was sentenced to three years of imprisonment in 2016 by a military court in Pakistan on charges of espionage, has already spent six years in the Pak prison.

Pakistan court on Thursday ordered the release of an Indian citizen Hamid Nehal Ansari who went missing in the country in 2012. Ansari who was sentenced to three years of imprisonment in 2016 by a military court in Pakistan on charges of espionage, has already spent six years in the Pak prison. His term in the jail is due to end on December 13, however, the Pakistan court said that the complete process for the release of Ansari will take a month. Ansari had filed a plea for remissions in his sentence which was rejected by Pakistan in 2017. A remission or a shortening of a sentence is usually given to prisoners in lieu of good behaviour. The jail authorities had rejected his plea claiming that the remission rules do not apply to him and he was charged and convicted for anti-state activities. Ansari's lawyer, Qazi Mohammad Anwar had claimed Ansari should be granted remission since he was not involved in the anti-state activity. Ansari initially went missing in Pakistan in 2012 after he crossed over from Afghanistan. Ansari had come to Pakistan because of a love affair over the Internet. The girl's family complained to authorities that he was travelling illegally, leading to his arrest in 2012. However, his arrest was not shown officially until 2016, when the authorities told the courts that he had been tried for espionage at a military court.

Pakistan court orders release of Indian national Hamid Nehal Ansari

A senior <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pak-constitutional-body-recommends-removal-of-high-court-judge-over-remarks-against-isi-170946">Pakistani judge</a>, who was in line to become the chief justice of the Islamabad High Court next month, was sacked for his controversial statement that the country's powerful spy agency ISI was manipulating judicial proceedings to get favourable decisions.

The Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) had recommended to remove Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui, who was facing a case of alleged misconduct over his speech targeting the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).

He was sacked Thursday by Pakistan President Arif Alvi.

Justice Siddiqui while addressing the Rawalpindi District Bar Association on July 21 had alleged that the ISI was manipulating judicial proceedings to constitute panel of judges to get favourable decisions.

"Today the judiciary and media have come in the control of 'Bandookwala' (army). Judiciary is not independent. Even the media is getting directions from the military. The media is not speaking the truth because it is under pressure and has its interests...In different cases, the ISI forms benches of its choice to get desired results," he had said.&nbsp;

The army had asked the chief justice of Pakistan to take the notice of the remarks after IHC chief justice Anwar Kansi rejected the allegations against Siddique.

The matter was referred to the SJC, which is the body to take up complaints against judges of higher courts and also recommend punitive actions including removal from judiciary.

A five-member SJC bench, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar, was hearing the case.

The SJC after hearing the case issued its decision on Thursday, asking Prime Minister Imran Khan to remove Siddique as his conduct was unbecoming of a judge.

"The Council is unanimously of the opinion that in the matter of making his speech...Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui, Judge, Islamabad High Court, Islamabad had displayed conduct unbecoming of a judge of High Court and was, thus, guilty of misconduct and he is, therefore, liable to be removed from his office," the panel said.

The 39-page opinion of the SJC was penned by Justice Asif Saeed Khosa.

Later, the law ministry issued a notification that the President has removed Siddiqui as IHC judge in the light of recommendations of the SJC.

Siddiqui's lawyer Hamid Khan said that though there is no provision of appeal against the decision of the SJC but he will take the matter to the Supreme Court.

Siddiqui is the second judge removed by SJC since removal of Justice Shaukat Ali of Lahore High Court in 1973 for corruption.

Most of the judges have opted to tender their resignation to avoid an SJC inquiry. However, Justice Siddiqui opted to face the charges of misconduct. 
The proceeding of the case against judge Ali went on for 10 months.

Interestingly, cases of misconduct against chief justice Nisar and three other judges of Supreme Court have been with the SJC for a long time but no proceeding has taken place. But the case against Siddiqui was decided after preliminary hearing held in-camera.

Siddiqui is the second senior most judge of the IHC and was in line to become chief justice of IHC in November when incumbent Kansi is set to retire.&nbsp;

A senior Pakistani judge, who was in line to become the chief justice of the Islamabad High Court next month, was sacked for his controversial statement that the country's powerful spy agency ISI was manipulating judicial proceedings to get favourable decisions.

A senior Pakistani judge, who was in line to become the chief justice of the Islamabad High Court next month, was sacked for his controversial statement that the country's powerful spy agency ISI was manipulating judicial proceedings to get favourable decisions. The Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) had recommended to remove Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui, who was facing a case of alleged misconduct over his speech targeting the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). He was sacked Thursday by Pakistan President Arif Alvi. Justice Siddiqui while addressing the Rawalpindi District Bar Association on July 21 had alleged that the ISI was manipulating judicial proceedings to constitute panel of judges to get favourable decisions. "Today the judiciary and media have come in the control of 'Bandookwala' (army). Judiciary is not independent. Even the media is getting directions from the military. The media is not speaking the truth because it is under pressure and has its interests...In different cases, the ISI forms benches of its choice to get desired results," he had said. The army had asked the chief justice of Pakistan to take the notice of the remarks after IHC chief justice Anwar Kansi rejected the allegations against Siddique. The matter was referred to the SJC, which is the body to take up complaints against judges of higher courts and also recommend punitive actions including removal from judiciary. A five-member SJC bench, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar, was hearing the case. The SJC after hearing the case issued its decision on Thursday, asking Prime Minister Imran Khan to remove Siddique as his conduct was unbecoming of a judge. "The Council is unanimously of the opinion that in the matter of making his speech...Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui, Judge, Islamabad High Court, Islamabad had displayed conduct unbecoming of a judge of High Court and was, thus, guilty of misconduct and he is, therefore, liable to be removed from his office," the panel said. The 39-page opinion of the SJC was penned by Justice Asif Saeed Khosa. Later, the law ministry issued a notification that the President has removed Siddiqui as IHC judge in the light of recommendations of the SJC. Siddiqui's lawyer Hamid Khan said that though there is no provision of appeal against the decision of the SJC but he will take the matter to the Supreme Court. Siddiqui is the second judge removed by SJC since removal of Justice Shaukat Ali of Lahore High Court in 1973 for corruption. Most of the judges have opted to tender their resignation to avoid an SJC inquiry. However, Justice Siddiqui opted to face the charges of misconduct. The proceeding of the case against judge Ali went on for 10 months. Interestingly, cases of misconduct against chief justice Nisar and three other judges of Supreme Court have been with the SJC for a long time but no proceeding has taken place. But the case against Siddiqui was decided after preliminary hearing held in-camera. Siddiqui is the second senior most judge of the IHC and was in line to become chief justice of IHC in November when incumbent Kansi is set to retire.

Pak High Court judge sacked over remarks against ISI

An anti-corruption court in Pakistan on Tuesday directed authorities to auction the assets and seize the bank accounts of absconding former finance minister Ishaq Dar in a graft case filed against him in the Panama Papers scandal.

The case about owning "assets beyond known means of income" is among four graft cases filed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) following the Supreme Court's order of July 28 against Dar and ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif and his family.

The decision came on an application filed by the NAB, seeking auction of Dar's assets and asking the court to appoint a beneficiary of recovered amount, Dawn newspaper reported.

The court said that the Punjab's provincial government will be responsible for auction. It empowered the provincial government to decide whether to sell or keep the seized assets, the report said.

Judge Mohammad Bashir had reserved the verdict on the application on Monday after the anti-graft watchdog submitted details of Dar's assets.

The NAB had earlier moved the Islamabad-based accountability court for the auction of movable and immovable properties owned by Dar, a close aide of Sharif, as he has been in London since October 2017.

Dar, the father-in-law of Sharif's younger daughter, was already declared as absconder in the corruption case after he went to London in October last year but never came back to face the trial.

The case of asset beyond means was launched against Dar in September 2017 on the orders of Supreme Court after it disqualified Sharif and ordered corruption cases against him, his children Maryam Nawaz, Husain and Hasan and son-in-law (retd) Captain Muhammad Safdar.

The anti-corruption watchdog already seized all of movable and immovable assets of 67-year-old Dar located in Lahore and Islamabad.

According to the case, Dar acquired assets worth Rs 831.7 million, which was disproportionate to the known sources of his income.&nbsp;

The Panama Papers case is about alleged money laundering by Sharif in the 1990s when he twice served as Pakistan's prime minister to purchase assets in London.

An anti-corruption court in Pakistan on Tuesday directed authorities to auction the assets and seize the bank accounts of absconding former finance minister Ishaq Dar in a graft case filed against him in the Panama Papers scandal.

An anti-corruption court in Pakistan on Tuesday directed authorities to auction the assets and seize the bank accounts of absconding former finance minister Ishaq Dar in a graft case filed against him in the Panama Papers scandal. The case about owning "assets beyond known means of income" is among four graft cases filed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) following the Supreme Court's order of July 28 against Dar and ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif and his family. The decision came on an application filed by the NAB, seeking auction of Dar's assets and asking the court to appoint a beneficiary of recovered amount, Dawn newspaper reported. The court said that the Punjab's provincial government will be responsible for auction. It empowered the provincial government to decide whether to sell or keep the seized assets, the report said. Judge Mohammad Bashir had reserved the verdict on the application on Monday after the anti-graft watchdog submitted details of Dar's assets. The NAB had earlier moved the Islamabad-based accountability court for the auction of movable and immovable properties owned by Dar, a close aide of Sharif, as he has been in London since October 2017. Dar, the father-in-law of Sharif's younger daughter, was already declared as absconder in the corruption case after he went to London in October last year but never came back to face the trial. The case of asset beyond means was launched against Dar in September 2017 on the orders of Supreme Court after it disqualified Sharif and ordered corruption cases against him, his children Maryam Nawaz, Husain and Hasan and son-in-law (retd) Captain Muhammad Safdar. The anti-corruption watchdog already seized all of movable and immovable assets of 67-year-old Dar located in Lahore and Islamabad. According to the case, Dar acquired assets worth Rs 831.7 million, which was disproportionate to the known sources of his income. The Panama Papers case is about alleged money laundering by Sharif in the 1990s when he twice served as Pakistan's prime minister to purchase assets in London.

Pakistan court allows auctioning of former finance minister Dar's assets

The Islamabad High Court on Thursday disqualified Pakistan's Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif for holding an Iqama (work permit) of the United Arab Emirates.

On April 10, an IHC larger bench had reserved its judgment in a matter where a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Usman Dar sought disqualification of the federal minister on the basis of work permit, the Pakistani media reported.

The court announced its verdict on a petition stating that Asif did not mention his foreign employment in his nomination papers.&nbsp;

Last year, The Supreme Court of Pakistan <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/nawaz-sharif-unseated-by-supreme-court-army-notches-up-another-victory-in-pakist-18416">disqualified Nawaz Sharif </a>as Member National Assembly and the prime minister for concealing the salary he was supposed to draw as chairman of his son’s Dubai-based company, Capital FZE. &nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

A three-member bench headed by Justice Minallah announced the verdict and ruled that Asif is not 'honest' and 'truthful' as per the Constitution.

The three bench members unanimously ruled that Asif has been disqualified as per Article 62 (1) (f) of the Constitution. &nbsp;&nbsp;

According to the Pakistan media reports, Asif has been hired as a full-time employee of IMECO since at least July 2, 2011, and has held various positions, including those of the legal adviser and special adviser, the petition states.

The contract signed between the foreign minister of Pakistan and the company claim that Asif was to receive a monthly basic salary of AED35,000 along with a monthly allowance of AED15,000.

He is receiving the same while serving as the foreign minister at the same time, it is alleged.

(With inputs from Agencies)

The court announced its verdict on a petition stating that Asif did not mention his foreign employment in his nomination papers.

The Islamabad High Court on Thursday disqualified Pakistan's Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif for holding an Iqama (work permit) of the United Arab Emirates. On April 10, an IHC larger bench had reserved its judgment in a matter where a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Usman Dar sought disqualification of the federal minister on the basis of work permit, the Pakistani media reported. The court announced its verdict on a petition stating that Asif did not mention his foreign employment in his nomination papers. Last year, The Supreme Court of Pakistan disqualified Nawaz Sharif as Member National Assembly and the prime minister for concealing the salary he was supposed to draw as chairman of his son’s Dubai-based company, Capital FZE. A three-member bench headed by Justice Minallah announced the verdict and ruled that Asif is not 'honest' and 'truthful' as per the Constitution. The three bench members unanimously ruled that Asif has been disqualified as per Article 62 (1) (f) of the Constitution. According to the Pakistan media reports, Asif has been hired as a full-time employee of IMECO since at least July 2, 2011, and has held various positions, including those of the legal adviser and special adviser, the petition states. The contract signed between the foreign minister of Pakistan and the company claim that Asif was to receive a monthly basic salary of AED35,000 along with a monthly allowance of AED15,000. He is receiving the same while serving as the foreign minister at the same time, it is alleged. (With inputs from Agencies)

Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif disqualified as member of Parliament for life

The Lahore High Court today restrained the Pakistan government from arresting Hafiz Saeed, the 2008 Mumbai terror attack mastermind and JuD chief, till further order.

Saeed had yesterday moved the court seeking protection from arrest or action against Jamaat-ud-Dawah (JuD) and Falah-i-Insaniat Foundation (FIF) ahead of the visit of the monitoring team of the United Nations Security Council 1267 Sanctions Committee.

The team will be visiting Islamabad from tomorrow for an assessment of Islamabad&#39;s compliance with the world body&#39;s sanctions regime.

In his plea, he had said that the government wants to arrest him at the behest of US and India, whose lobby for the last many years has been trying to prove that he was &quot;somehow involved in Mumbai attacks&quot;.

Justice Amin Aminuddin Khan heard Saeed&#39;s plea and refrained the government from taking any adverse action against him.

&quot;The LHC today accepted JuD chief Hafiz Saeed&#39;s application and issued order restraining the federal government from arresting him till futher order,&quot; a court official confirmed to PTI. 
He said the court also issued notice to the government to file its reply on March 17.

Appearing for the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) founder, his counsel Advocate A K Dogar told the court that the UNSC delegation was due in the country this week and the government intends to take an &quot;adverse action&quot; against him during the team&#39;s stay in the country.

He said the government may arrest his client at the behest of the US and India.

The Punjab government, Dogar said, had detained Saeed for 10 months under the Maintenance of Public Order ordinance but a judicial review board had rejected its application for extending his house arrest last November as it failed to justify his detention.

Saeed is the founder/chairman of JuD and Falah-i-Insaniat Foundation (FIF) and he had set up 142 schools and three universities and was engaged in public welfare for a long time, Dogar said.

The UN team&#39;s visit is taking place amid increasing pressure on Pakistan from the US and Indian governments with respect to inadequate implementation of the sanctions on Saeed and entities linked to him.

The State Department had said last week that the US had clearly conveyed its concern to Pakistan on Saeed and called for his prosecution &quot;to the fullest extent of the law&quot;.

It also said that Saeed&#39;s name was on the UN list of designated terrorists.

Saeed was listed under UN Security Council Resolution 1267 in December 2008. The UNSC sanctions list includes the names of JuD, Lashkar-e-Taiba, Al-Qaeda, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, FIF and other groups and individuals.

The UNSC monitoring committee oversees the sanctions measures imposed by the Security Council under the rules. The member states are required to freeze without delay the funds and other financial assets or economic resources of designated individuals and entities.

Last week, Pakistan banned companies and individuals from making donations to the JuD, the FIF and other organisations on the UNSC sanctions list.

The JuD is believed to be the front organisation for the LeT which is responsible for carrying out the Mumbai attack that killed 166 people. It has been declared as a foreign terrorist organisation by the US in June 2014.

Saeed had yesterday moved the court seeking protection from arrest or action against Jamaat-ud-Dawah (JuD) and Falah-i-Insaniat Foundation (FIF) ahead of the visit of the monitoring team of the United Nations Security Council 1267 Sanctions Committee

The Lahore High Court today restrained the Pakistan government from arresting Hafiz Saeed, the 2008 Mumbai terror attack mastermind and JuD chief, till further order. Saeed had yesterday moved the court seeking protection from arrest or action against Jamaat-ud-Dawah (JuD) and Falah-i-Insaniat Foundation (FIF) ahead of the visit of the monitoring team of the United Nations Security Council 1267 Sanctions Committee. The team will be visiting Islamabad from tomorrow for an assessment of Islamabad's compliance with the world body's sanctions regime. In his plea, he had said that the government wants to arrest him at the behest of US and India, whose lobby for the last many years has been trying to prove that he was "somehow involved in Mumbai attacks". Justice Amin Aminuddin Khan heard Saeed's plea and refrained the government from taking any adverse action against him. "The LHC today accepted JuD chief Hafiz Saeed's application and issued order restraining the federal government from arresting him till futher order," a court official confirmed to PTI. He said the court also issued notice to the government to file its reply on March 17. Appearing for the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) founder, his counsel Advocate A K Dogar told the court that the UNSC delegation was due in the country this week and the government intends to take an "adverse action" against him during the team's stay in the country. He said the government may arrest his client at the behest of the US and India. The Punjab government, Dogar said, had detained Saeed for 10 months under the Maintenance of Public Order ordinance but a judicial review board had rejected its application for extending his house arrest last November as it failed to justify his detention. Saeed is the founder/chairman of JuD and Falah-i-Insaniat Foundation (FIF) and he had set up 142 schools and three universities and was engaged in public welfare for a long time, Dogar said. The UN team's visit is taking place amid increasing pressure on Pakistan from the US and Indian governments with respect to inadequate implementation of the sanctions on Saeed and entities linked to him. The State Department had said last week that the US had clearly conveyed its concern to Pakistan on Saeed and called for his prosecution "to the fullest extent of the law". It also said that Saeed's name was on the UN list of designated terrorists. Saeed was listed under UN Security Council Resolution 1267 in December 2008. The UNSC sanctions list includes the names of JuD, Lashkar-e-Taiba, Al-Qaeda, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, FIF and other groups and individuals. The UNSC monitoring committee oversees the sanctions measures imposed by the Security Council under the rules. The member states are required to freeze without delay the funds and other financial assets or economic resources of designated individuals and entities. Last week, Pakistan banned companies and individuals from making donations to the JuD, the FIF and other organisations on the UNSC sanctions list. The JuD is believed to be the front organisation for the LeT which is responsible for carrying out the Mumbai attack that killed 166 people. It has been declared as a foreign terrorist organisation by the US in June 2014.

Lahore High Court restrains Pakistan govt from taking action against Saeed

A Pakistani court sentenced one person to death and five others to life imprisonment on Wednesday for lynching a student accused of blasphemy, a crime which sent shockwaves through the conservative Muslim country.

Mashal Khan, 23, was stripped, beaten and shot by a gang made up mostly of students last April before being thrown from the second floor of his dormitory at Abdul Wali Khan University in the northwestern city of Mardan.

&quot;One of the accused has been awarded a death sentence, (five) were given life imprisonment while 26 have been acquitted,&quot; Saad Abbasi, a defence lawyer, said at the prison where the verdict was announced.

An additional 25 were given three-year sentences, he added, saying he planned to file an appeal against the decision.

The court sentenced Imran Sultan Mohammad to death over his role in shooting Khan during the lynching, a crime he confessed to earlier.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Ahead of the verdict, heavy security was enforced at the jail in the city of Haripur where the accused were detained, with the area cordoned off by police and elite commandos.&nbsp;

The proceedings were held in an anti-terrorism court inside the jail for security reasons.&nbsp;

Around 100 relatives of the accused students waited outside the prison walls as news of the verdict trickled out.

&quot;A day will come that the judge will answer the God. The verdict he has announced is unjust,&quot; said Waheedullah, whose son was given a three-year sentence.

The brutality of the attack, which was recorded on mobile phone cameras and posted online, stunned the public and led to widespread condemnation -- including from prominent Islamic clerics. Protests erupted in several cities.

Students who took part were rounded up after being identified through CCTV footage from the university and video clips.

An official report released months later concluded Khan was falsely accused, saying the murder was instigated by members of a secular student group who felt threatened by Khan&#39;s growing prominence as a critic of rising fees and of alleged corruption at the university.

Blasphemy is an enormously sensitive charge in Pakistan and a criminal offence that can carry the death penalty.

While the state has never executed anyone under blasphemy laws, mere allegations have prompted mob lynchings and lesser violence.&nbsp;

Since 1990 vigilantes have been accused of murdering 65 people tied to blasphemy, according to research compiled by the Center for Research and Security Studies.

A Pakistani court sentenced one person to death and five others to life imprisonment on Wednesday for lynching a student accused of blasphemy, a crime which sent shockwaves through the conservative Muslim country

A Pakistani court sentenced one person to death and five others to life imprisonment on Wednesday for lynching a student accused of blasphemy, a crime which sent shockwaves through the conservative Muslim country. Mashal Khan, 23, was stripped, beaten and shot by a gang made up mostly of students last April before being thrown from the second floor of his dormitory at Abdul Wali Khan University in the northwestern city of Mardan. "One of the accused has been awarded a death sentence, (five) were given life imprisonment while 26 have been acquitted," Saad Abbasi, a defence lawyer, said at the prison where the verdict was announced. An additional 25 were given three-year sentences, he added, saying he planned to file an appeal against the decision. The court sentenced Imran Sultan Mohammad to death over his role in shooting Khan during the lynching, a crime he confessed to earlier. Ahead of the verdict, heavy security was enforced at the jail in the city of Haripur where the accused were detained, with the area cordoned off by police and elite commandos. The proceedings were held in an anti-terrorism court inside the jail for security reasons. Around 100 relatives of the accused students waited outside the prison walls as news of the verdict trickled out. "A day will come that the judge will answer the God. The verdict he has announced is unjust," said Waheedullah, whose son was given a three-year sentence. The brutality of the attack, which was recorded on mobile phone cameras and posted online, stunned the public and led to widespread condemnation -- including from prominent Islamic clerics. Protests erupted in several cities. Students who took part were rounded up after being identified through CCTV footage from the university and video clips. An official report released months later concluded Khan was falsely accused, saying the murder was instigated by members of a secular student group who felt threatened by Khan's growing prominence as a critic of rising fees and of alleged corruption at the university. Blasphemy is an enormously sensitive charge in Pakistan and a criminal offence that can carry the death penalty. While the state has never executed anyone under blasphemy laws, mere allegations have prompted mob lynchings and lesser violence. Since 1990 vigilantes have been accused of murdering 65 people tied to blasphemy, according to research compiled by the Center for Research and Security Studies.

Pakistan court hands out death sentence over blasphemy lynching

A Pakistani court on Monday granted bail to an anti-US cleric &mdash; the father-in-law of one of Pakistan&#39;s most wanted militants &mdash; days after Washington suspended aid over Islamabad`s failure to crack down on extremism.

Sufi Mohammad, whose son-in-law is Maulana Fazlullah, the fugitive chief of the Pakistani Taliban, was himself charged with murder, treason, terrorism and rebellion.

The elderly pro-Taliban cleric and the chief of banned group Tehreek Nifaz-e-Shariat Mohammadi (TNSM) was the architect of a violent movement for the enforcement of Islamic sharia law in country&#39;s northwestern Malakand Division.

He was arrested in October 2001 as he crossed the border into Pakistan with a group of armed men, accused of sending hundreds to fight against the US-led international forces seeking to topple the fundamentalist Taliban regime.

But he was released in 2008 under a peace agreement with local tribal elders which settled those charges.

Believed to be in his 90s, he was arrested again in Peshawar in 2009 over an inflammatory speech and has been held in a maximum security prison.

His trial is ongoing. But on Monday his defence lawyer Fida Gul said that a high court in Peshawar had ordered Mohammad&#39;s release.

&quot;He was too old to move and was suffering from kidney problems and weakness, and was taken to hospital many times,&quot; Gul said.

The decision came less than a week after the US announced a freeze on aid to Pakistan that could be worth almost $2 bn.&nbsp;

The move is designed to force Pakistan`s military and intelligence apparatus to cut support for the Taliban and other Islamist groups, especially those fighting US forces in Afghanistan.

Pakistan has fought fierce campaigns against homegrown Islamist groups, losing thousands of lives in its long war on extremism.

That includes the Pakistani Taliban, headed by Mohammad`s son-in-law Fazlullah, who became infamous when he held the Swat Valley from 2007-2009, imposing a harsh brand of sharia law and carrying out public floggings and hangings.

But US officials accuse Pakistan of ignoring or even collaborating with groups that attack Afghanistan from safe havens along the border between the two countries.

The decision came less than a week after the US announced a freeze on aid to Pakistan that could be worth almost $2 bn.

A Pakistani court on Monday granted bail to an anti-US cleric — the father-in-law of one of Pakistan's most wanted militants — days after Washington suspended aid over Islamabad`s failure to crack down on extremism. Sufi Mohammad, whose son-in-law is Maulana Fazlullah, the fugitive chief of the Pakistani Taliban, was himself charged with murder, treason, terrorism and rebellion. The elderly pro-Taliban cleric and the chief of banned group Tehreek Nifaz-e-Shariat Mohammadi (TNSM) was the architect of a violent movement for the enforcement of Islamic sharia law in country's northwestern Malakand Division. He was arrested in October 2001 as he crossed the border into Pakistan with a group of armed men, accused of sending hundreds to fight against the US-led international forces seeking to topple the fundamentalist Taliban regime. But he was released in 2008 under a peace agreement with local tribal elders which settled those charges. Believed to be in his 90s, he was arrested again in Peshawar in 2009 over an inflammatory speech and has been held in a maximum security prison. His trial is ongoing. But on Monday his defence lawyer Fida Gul said that a high court in Peshawar had ordered Mohammad's release. "He was too old to move and was suffering from kidney problems and weakness, and was taken to hospital many times," Gul said. The decision came less than a week after the US announced a freeze on aid to Pakistan that could be worth almost $2 bn. The move is designed to force Pakistan`s military and intelligence apparatus to cut support for the Taliban and other Islamist groups, especially those fighting US forces in Afghanistan. Pakistan has fought fierce campaigns against homegrown Islamist groups, losing thousands of lives in its long war on extremism. That includes the Pakistani Taliban, headed by Mohammad`s son-in-law Fazlullah, who became infamous when he held the Swat Valley from 2007-2009, imposing a harsh brand of sharia law and carrying out public floggings and hangings. But US officials accuse Pakistan of ignoring or even collaborating with groups that attack Afghanistan from safe havens along the border between the two countries.

Pakistan court bails anti-US cleric days after aid freeze

Mumbai attack mastermind and banned Jamaat- ud -Dawah (JuD)&nbsp;chief Hafiz Saeed on Friday&nbsp;walked free from house arrest and said he would gather people across Pakistan for the &quot;cause of Kashmir&quot; and try to help Kashmiris get their &quot;destination of freedom&quot;.

The JuD&nbsp;head, who carries a USD 10 million American bounty for his role in terror activities, was freed after the government decided against detaining him further in any case. He was under detention since January.

&quot;I was detained for 10 months only to stop my voice for Kashmir,&quot; Saeed told his supporters gathered outside his residence to celebrate his release.

&quot;I fight for the cause of Kashmiris. I will gather the people from across the country for the cause of Kashmir and we will try to help Kashmiris get their destination of freedom,&quot; he said upon his release.

Punjab province&#39;s Judicial Review Board comprising judges of the Lahore High Court (LHC) on Wednesday unanimously ordered Saeed&#39;s release on the completion of his 30-day house arrest which expired last night.

Saeed said that he was detained when he announced a month of solidarity for Kashmiris in January.

Using the release order to buttress his claim of &quot;innocence&quot;, Saeed said: &quot;I am very happy that none of the allegations against me proved as three judges of the LHC ordered my release... India had levelled baseless allegations against me. The LHC&#39;s review board decision has proved that I am innocent&quot;.

The JuD chief said that the US, on India&#39;s request, pressured Pakistan to detain him.

&quot;I was detained on the pressure of the US on the Pakistani government. The US did so on the request of India,&quot; he claimed.

Several JuD supporters, gathered outside Saeed&#39;s house in Lahore&#39;s Jauhar town to celebrate his release, shouted anti- India slogans and described their leader as &quot;a hope for the Kashmiri people&quot;.

&quot;We are happy to see our leader free. Hafiz sahib received his release order from the jail officials. Now he is a free man,&quot; JuD spokesman Ahmad Nadim said.

&quot;Saeed has been freed as the Punjab government decided not to detain him further in any other case,&quot; a top government official told.

He said that after a long deliberation, it has been decided to follow the review board&#39;s decision.

Saeed&#39;s release would invite strong criticism from India and the US, official sources said.

&quot;It remains to be seen as how would the PML-N government handle the foreign pressure to again detain Saeed,&quot; they said.

Punjab Assistant Advocate General Sattar Sahil said the government law officer had presented &quot;some important evidence&quot; to justify Saeed&#39;s detention, but all three members of the board unanimously rejected it and ordered his 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. 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.

According to the rules, the government could detain a person for up to three months under different charges, but for an extension, 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 terror attack in 2008 in which 166 people, including six Americans, were killed.

Saeed was put under house arrest after the Mumbai attack in November 2008 but he was freed by a court in 2009.

India has repeatedly asked Pakistan to re-investigate the Mumbai terror attack case and demanded trial of Saeed and LeT operations commander Zaki-ur Rehman Lakhvi in the light of the evidence it had provided to Islamabad.

Ten LeT militants had 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 and executed after a court found him guilty.

Saeed was declared a global terrorist by the US and the UN after the Mumbai attack.

The JuD?head, who carries a USD 10 million American bounty for his role in terror activities, was freed after the government decided against detaining him further in any case. He was under detention since January.

Mumbai attack mastermind and banned Jamaat- ud -Dawah (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed on Friday walked free from house arrest and said he would gather people across Pakistan for the "cause of Kashmir" and try to help Kashmiris get their "destination of freedom". The JuD head, who carries a USD 10 million American bounty for his role in terror activities, was freed after the government decided against detaining him further in any case. He was under detention since January. "I was detained for 10 months only to stop my voice for Kashmir," Saeed told his supporters gathered outside his residence to celebrate his release. "I fight for the cause of Kashmiris. I will gather the people from across the country for the cause of Kashmir and we will try to help Kashmiris get their destination of freedom," he said upon his release. Punjab province's Judicial Review Board comprising judges of the Lahore High Court (LHC) on Wednesday unanimously ordered Saeed's release on the completion of his 30-day house arrest which expired last night. Saeed said that he was detained when he announced a month of solidarity for Kashmiris in January. Using the release order to buttress his claim of "innocence", Saeed said: "I am very happy that none of the allegations against me proved as three judges of the LHC ordered my release... India had levelled baseless allegations against me. The LHC's review board decision has proved that I am innocent". The JuD chief said that the US, on India's request, pressured Pakistan to detain him. "I was detained on the pressure of the US on the Pakistani government. The US did so on the request of India," he claimed. Several JuD supporters, gathered outside Saeed's house in Lahore's Jauhar town to celebrate his release, shouted anti- India slogans and described their leader as "a hope for the Kashmiri people". "We are happy to see our leader free. Hafiz sahib received his release order from the jail officials. Now he is a free man," JuD spokesman Ahmad Nadim said. "Saeed has been freed as the Punjab government decided not to detain him further in any other case," a top government official told. He said that after a long deliberation, it has been decided to follow the review board's decision. Saeed's release would invite strong criticism from India and the US, official sources said. "It remains to be seen as how would the PML-N government handle the foreign pressure to again detain Saeed," they said. Punjab Assistant Advocate General Sattar Sahil said the government law officer had presented "some important evidence" to justify Saeed's detention, but all three members of the board unanimously rejected it and ordered his 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. 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. According to the rules, the government could detain a person for up to three months under different charges, but for an extension, 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 terror attack in 2008 in which 166 people, including six Americans, were killed. Saeed was put under house arrest after the Mumbai attack in November 2008 but he was freed by a court in 2009. India has repeatedly asked Pakistan to re-investigate the Mumbai terror attack case and demanded trial of Saeed and LeT operations commander Zaki-ur Rehman Lakhvi in the light of the evidence it had provided to Islamabad. Ten LeT militants had 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 and executed after a court found him guilty. Saeed was declared a global terrorist by the US and the UN after the Mumbai attack.

Hafiz Saeed walks free; vows to fight for 'Kashmir cause'

India on Thursday condemned the decision of a Pakistan court to release from house arrest Islamist leader Hafiz Saeed, accused of masterminding attacks on Mumbai in 2008 in which 166 people were killed.

Saeed, co-founder of dreaded militant outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), a banned organisation in both India and the United States (US), was put under house arrest in January after years of living freely in Pakistan, one of the sore points in its fraying relationship with the US and India.

Indian foreign ministry spokesman Raveesh Kumar said that the country is outraged that a self-confessed and a United Nations proscribed terrorist was allowed to walk free and continue with his evil agenda while adding that it showcases Pakistan&#39;s &#39;lack of seriousness&#39; in handling issues concerning militancy on its soil.

Meanwhile, anti-Pakistan protest erupted in parts of India to protest the release of Saeed.

India accused Pakistan of sponsoring the attacks through the LeT, which Saeed founded in the 1990s.

Pakistan has denied any state involvement in the attack. It placed the LeT on a list of banned organizations in 2002.

Pakistan frees Hafiz Saeed

A Pakistani court Wednesday ordered the release of one of the alleged masterminds of the 2008 Mumbai attacks which killed more than 160 people, after months of US pressure on Islamabad over its alleged support for militants.

Firebrand cleric Hafiz Saeed, who heads the UN-listed terrorist group Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) and has a $10 million US bounty on his head, will be freed tomorrow after less than a year in detention following the decision by the Lahore High Court, a JuD official said.&nbsp;

&quot;The review board looking into the case... has refused to extend his house arrest as the government failed to provide any evidence against the charges,&quot; a spokesman for the party, Ahmed Nadeen said.

The horror of the Mumbai carnage played out on live television around the world as commandos battled the heavily armed gunmen, who arrived by sea on the evening of November 26, 2008.

It took the authorities three days to regain full control of the city.&nbsp;

JuD, which has operated freely across Pakistan and is popular for its charity work, is considered by the US and India to be a front for Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), the militant group blamed for the attack on India&#39;s financial capital.&nbsp;

New Delhi has long seethed at Pakistan&#39;s failure either to hand over or prosecute those accused of planning the attacks, while Islamabad has alleged that India failed to give it crucial evidence.

India has also said there is proof that &quot;official agencies&quot; in Pakistan were involved in plotting the attack -- a charge Islamabad denies.

Analyst and retired Pakistani general Talat Masood told AFP that Saeed is given special treatment by the government &quot;because they think that his organisation was supportive in Kashmir&quot;, the disputed Himalayan territory over which India and Pakistan have fought two of their three wars.

Saeed said later in a video message that he was detained because of his association with Kashmir.

&quot;It&#39;s because of Kashmir that India is after me, but all her efforts have been in vain and Allah has set me free,&quot; he said in the video released by his party&#39;s media team.

&quot;This is a victory for Pakistan&#39;s freedom and God willing Kashmir will also be freed because I&#39;m fighting Kashmir&#39;s case,&quot; Saeed added.

India blames Pakistan for sending militant groups, including LeT, to foment unrest in the part of Kashmir controlled by New Delhi.

However, Masood said the government could seek new reasons to detain Saeed to avoid more international pressure, particularly from Washington, which has been pressuring Pakistan for months over its alleged support for militants including the Taliban in neighbouring Afghanistan.&nbsp;

US President Donald Trump in August accused Pakistan of harbouring &quot;agents of chaos&quot;, and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said last month that the Washington has made &quot;very specific&quot; requests of Pakistan over militancy.&nbsp;

The US has also made several overtures to Pakistan&#39;s arch-enemy India for closer ties.&nbsp;

Following a brief period of house arrest in 2008, Saeed led a high-profile public life and regularly delivered fiery anti-India speeches.

He was placed under house arrest once more in January this year following years of foreign pressure, prompting demonstrations in several Pakistani cities.

Masood said that his release could see him participate in a general election set to be held sometime next year, adding that if he won a seat in the national assembly that could be &quot;very embarrassing internationally&quot;.

(With AFP inputs)&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Indian foreign ministry spokesman Raveesh Kumar said that the country is outraged that a self-confessed and a United Nations proscribed terrorist was allowed to walk free and continue with his evil agenda

India on Thursday condemned the decision of a Pakistan court to release from house arrest Islamist leader Hafiz Saeed, accused of masterminding attacks on Mumbai in 2008 in which 166 people were killed. Saeed, co-founder of dreaded militant outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), a banned organisation in both India and the United States (US), was put under house arrest in January after years of living freely in Pakistan, one of the sore points in its fraying relationship with the US and India. Indian foreign ministry spokesman Raveesh Kumar said that the country is outraged that a self-confessed and a United Nations proscribed terrorist was allowed to walk free and continue with his evil agenda while adding that it showcases Pakistan's 'lack of seriousness' in handling issues concerning militancy on its soil. Meanwhile, anti-Pakistan protest erupted in parts of India to protest the release of Saeed. India accused Pakistan of sponsoring the attacks through the LeT, which Saeed founded in the 1990s. Pakistan has denied any state involvement in the attack. It placed the LeT on a list of banned organizations in 2002. Pakistan frees Hafiz Saeed A Pakistani court Wednesday ordered the release of one of the alleged masterminds of the 2008 Mumbai attacks which killed more than 160 people, after months of US pressure on Islamabad over its alleged support for militants. Firebrand cleric Hafiz Saeed, who heads the UN-listed terrorist group Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) and has a $10 million US bounty on his head, will be freed tomorrow after less than a year in detention following the decision by the Lahore High Court, a JuD official said. "The review board looking into the case... has refused to extend his house arrest as the government failed to provide any evidence against the charges," a spokesman for the party, Ahmed Nadeen said. The horror of the Mumbai carnage played out on live television around the world as commandos battled the heavily armed gunmen, who arrived by sea on the evening of November 26, 2008. It took the authorities three days to regain full control of the city. JuD, which has operated freely across Pakistan and is popular for its charity work, is considered by the US and India to be a front for Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), the militant group blamed for the attack on India's financial capital. New Delhi has long seethed at Pakistan's failure either to hand over or prosecute those accused of planning the attacks, while Islamabad has alleged that India failed to give it crucial evidence. India has also said there is proof that "official agencies" in Pakistan were involved in plotting the attack -- a charge Islamabad denies. Analyst and retired Pakistani general Talat Masood told AFP that Saeed is given special treatment by the government "because they think that his organisation was supportive in Kashmir", the disputed Himalayan territory over which India and Pakistan have fought two of their three wars. Saeed said later in a video message that he was detained because of his association with Kashmir. "It's because of Kashmir that India is after me, but all her efforts have been in vain and Allah has set me free," he said in the video released by his party's media team. "This is a victory for Pakistan's freedom and God willing Kashmir will also be freed because I'm fighting Kashmir's case," Saeed added. India blames Pakistan for sending militant groups, including LeT, to foment unrest in the part of Kashmir controlled by New Delhi. However, Masood said the government could seek new reasons to detain Saeed to avoid more international pressure, particularly from Washington, which has been pressuring Pakistan for months over its alleged support for militants including the Taliban in neighbouring Afghanistan. US President Donald Trump in August accused Pakistan of harbouring "agents of chaos", and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said last month that the Washington has made "very specific" requests of Pakistan over militancy. The US has also made several overtures to Pakistan's arch-enemy India for closer ties. Following a brief period of house arrest in 2008, Saeed led a high-profile public life and regularly delivered fiery anti-India speeches. He was placed under house arrest once more in January this year following years of foreign pressure, prompting demonstrations in several Pakistani cities. Masood said that his release could see him participate in a general election set to be held sometime next year, adding that if he won a seat in the national assembly that could be "very embarrassing internationally". (With AFP inputs)

India condemns release of Mumbai terror attack 'mastermind' Hafiz Saeed

Ousted Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif arrived in Islamabad on Thursday morning, ahead of a crucial hearing in a graft case.

Sharif will appear before an accountability court on November 3 in connection with the corruption references filed against him by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB). The NAB had earlier&nbsp;approached the Airport Security Force (ASF) seeking access to former premier&#39;s flight to execute his bailable arrest warrants.

The accountability court had recently started the trial of Sharif, his daughter Maryam Nawaz and her husband Captain (retd) Safdar in corruption references filed by NAB.

On Tuesday, the&nbsp;court ordered Pakistan&#39;s financial regulatory agency to freeze the company shares of Sharif and his two sons in the Panama Papers case.

Sharif, who was charge-sheeted by the court last week in all three NAB references, did not turn up at the court since he is in Saudi Arabia; however, his lawyer Khawaja Haris attended the hearing.

Sharif will appear before an accountability court on November 3 in connection with the corruption references filed against him by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

Ousted Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif arrived in Islamabad on Thursday morning, ahead of a crucial hearing in a graft case. Sharif will appear before an accountability court on November 3 in connection with the corruption references filed against him by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB). The NAB had earlier approached the Airport Security Force (ASF) seeking access to former premier's flight to execute his bailable arrest warrants. The accountability court had recently started the trial of Sharif, his daughter Maryam Nawaz and her husband Captain (retd) Safdar in corruption references filed by NAB. On Tuesday, the court ordered Pakistan's financial regulatory agency to freeze the company shares of Sharif and his two sons in the Panama Papers case. Sharif, who was charge-sheeted by the court last week in all three NAB references, did not turn up at the court since he is in Saudi Arabia; however, his lawyer Khawaja Haris attended the hearing.

Nawaz Sharif arrives in Islamabad, crucial hearing in corruption case tomorrow

Nawaz Sharif arrives in Islamabad for crucial hearing in corruption case

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