Hafiz Saeed Must be Arrested, Charged For His Crime, US Tells Pakistan - JPKee.com

Washington, Nov 24: Lashkar-e-Taiba founder and UN-designated terrorist Hafiz Saeed must be arrested, the United States told Pakistan. Expressing concerns over the release of Hafiz Saeed from the house arrest, the US asked Pakistan to arrest and charge the 26/11 mastermind for his crimes.

“The United States is deeply concerned that Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT) leader Hafiz Saeed has been released from house arrest in Pakistan,” Statement Department spokesperson Heather Nauert said in a statement on Friday. “The Pakistani government should make sure that he is arrested and charged for his crimes,” she added. “LeT is a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization responsible for the death of hundreds of innocent civilians in terrorist attacks, including a number of American citizens,” the statement reads.

Saeed, who carries a $10 million bounty announced by the US for his role in terrorist activities, was released after a Lahore High Court review board turned down Pakistan government’s arguments that he was a threat to public safety. A court on Wednesday ruled out prolonging Saeed’s house arrest due to a lack of evidence or justification for it. Saeed was placed under house arrest on January 30 this year and a court regularly renewed his detention.

India on Thursday said the release of Hafiz Saeed exposes Pakistan’s “true face”. “His (imminent) release confirms once again the lack of seriousness on the part of Pakistani government in bringing to justice perpetrators of heinous acts of terrorism including by individuals and entities designated by the UN,” said the External Affairs Ministry spokesman Raveesh Kumar.

The MEA official said the release of Saeed appeared to be an attempt by the Pakistani system to mainstream proscribed terrorists. Kumar said Saeed was not only the “mastermind” of the Mumbai terror attack that killed 166 Indians and foreigners but also the “prime organiser” behind the horror. India also blamed him for unleashing terror attacks against Pakistan’s neighbours.

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Author - Vikash Kumar