Pak Backs Saaed’s Release, Calls India’s Concern ‘Self Serving’
The Pakistani Foreign Office said that all parties must act in a manner consistent with the rule of law.
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Pakistan has justified the release of Mumbai terror attack mastermind and JuD chief Hafiz Saeed, claiming that Islamabad was committed to the implementation of UNSC sanctions regime on terrorists.
India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had earlier that said Saeed's release confirmed once again the lack of seriousness by the Pakistan government in bringing to justice perpetrators of terrorism, including individuals and entities designated by the UN.
Responding to the comments made by the MEA, Foreign Office (FO) spokesperson Mohammad Faisal said that Pakistan was committed to the implementation of UNSC 1267 sanctions regime and has taken several steps in this regard.
Faisal said that courts in Pakistan, pursuant to their constitutional duty, were determined to uphold rule of law and due process for all citizens of Pakistan.
"It is in the interest of all States to speak and act in a manner that is consistent with the imperatives of adhering to rule of law at the national and international levels," Faisal said. "Pakistan condemns and opposes all forms of terrorism by any individual or group," he added
The Jamaat-ud-Dawah (JuD) head and LeT founder, who has a $10 million American bounty on his head for terror activities, was freed by Pakistan on Friday. He is a UN and US designated terrorist.
US Civil Society Reacts To Saeed’s release
A former CIA Deputy Director said that Mumbai attack mastermind and JuD chief Hafiz Saeed has "blood on his hands", and wants to bring extremism into the mainstream politics of Pakistan.
Saeed, in his late 60s, was under house arrest for 297 days since January. The firebrand cleric's release after midnight came ahead of the 9th anniversary of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, in which 166 people, including six Americans, were killed. A deeply concerned US has asked the Pakistan government to re-arrest and charge Saeed for his crimes. It also asked Pakistan to ensure that the LeT leader is behind bars.
American Media Demands Saaed’s Arrest
International media put out several reactions to this. NBC news said Saeed's release could once again sour US relations with Pakistan. The New York Times said that Pakistan has cast a benign eye on groups like LeT, which is perceived as an asset because its attacks target Indian soldiers in Kashmir.
Despite its pressure on Pakistan to move against militants like Saeed, the United States has also sent mixed messages. Just a month ago, the United States Senate struck down a provision tying American government funding to Pakistan to the country’s efforts to curb Lashkar-e-Taiba’s operations.
"Trump should call Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India and offer to work with him to capture or kill Saeed," the daily said, adding that Saeed intends to lead a new Muslim theocratic political bloc in next year's parliamentary polls.
The Jamaat-ud-Dawah is believed to be the front organisation for the banned LeT, which is responsible for carrying out the Mumbai terror attack.
(With inputs from PTI)
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