Another Eyewash? Hafiz Saeed Detained For ‘Spreading Terror In The Name Of Jihad’

Mumbai terror attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed has been detained along with four others for "spreading terrorism in the name of jihad". Pakistan's Interior Ministry has told a judicial review board that five people including Jamat-ud-Dawah (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed have been arrested in connection with terror activities in the region.

“I have been detained by the Pakistani government in order to stop me from raising voice for Kashmiris,” said Saeed, who appeared before the board. The Interior Ministry, however, rejected Saeed’s arguments and told the three-member board that he and his four aides have been detained for spreading terrorism.

The board then directed the ministry to submit a complete record regarding detention of Saeed and his aides, Zafar Iqbal, Abdul Rehman Abid, Abdullah Ubaid and Qazi Kashif Niaz, on next hearing on 15 May. Saeed appealed to the board to set aside the Punjab government's detention order.

The Nawaz Sharif government had reportedly taken action against Saeed after the US threatened sanctions if Pakistan avoided taking action against JuD and Saeed. JuD is said to be the front for the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba. It was declared as a foreign terrorist organisation by the US in June 2014.