Pak Calls Saeed’s Detention “Policy Decision in National Interest”

Reports say the action comes amidst pressure from the Trump administration to act against terror groups.

Jamaat-ud-Dawa leader Hafiz Saeed. (Photo: AP)

In an unusual move, Pakistan's army on Tuesday said the detention of the Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed was a "policy decision in the national interest" as the government announced that the Jamat-ud Dawa leader's 90-day house arrest could be extended if required.

“The detention is a policy decision taken in the national interest. The relevant department may give more information in a day or two and the situation will become clearer.

Major General Asif Ghafoor, Military Spokesperson

Maj Gen Ghafoor said Pakistan wants peace with India and resolution of all issues including Kashmir through talks held on the basis of self-respect and honour, but it should not be considered as weakness.

We want the Kashmir issue to be resolve via United Nations resolutions and dialogue, but this desire for peace should not be misconstrued as a weakness.

India’s Stance

Pakistani authorities on Monday put Mumbai attack mastermind and Jamaat-ud-Dawa chief Hafiz Saeed and four others under detention under an anti-terrorism act.

Ministry of External Affairs said it has taken note of the arrest and that Pakistan has carried out similar actions against Saeed and others in the past as well.

Only a credible crackdown on the mastermind of the Mumbai terrorist attacks and terrorist organisations involved in cross border terrorism would be proof of Pakistan’s sincerity. 

Ministry of External Affairs

Soon after his house arrest, Saeed who carries a bounty of $10 million, released a video in which he said that it is an outcome of Pakistan being pressured by foreign powers. He also said it is a result of the growing friendship between Donald Trump and Narendra Modi.

In a presser in Lahore on Tuesday, Saeed also said:

It (the house arrest order) was carried out at (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi’s insistence, and (US President Donald) Trump’s instigation, and was a result of Pakistani government’s compromise. If they think that by detaining us they can hurt the Kashmir cause, that will never happen. God willing, our movement will continue until Kashmir is liberated.

Also Read: India’s Bid to Ban Masood Azhar “Politically Motivated”: Pakistan

Saeed was at Masjid-e-Qudsia Chauburji in Lahore when police descended there to implement a detention order issued by Punjab Province's Interior Ministry in pursuance of a directive from the Federal Interior Ministry on 27 January, JuD activists and Pakistani media said.

He "is at Masjid-e-Qadsia Chauburji and a heavy contingent of police has surrounded the JuD headquarters", said JuD official Ahmed Nadeem, who was present at the mosque premises.

The commanding police officer told us he has with him a house arrest order for the JuD chief issued by the Punjab Home Department.

Ahmed Nadeem, JuD official

Nadeem added that Saeed's residence has been declared a ‘sub-jail’.

Result of Pressure by Trump Administration?

The Punjab government's action comes amidst pressure from the Trump administration to act against terror, according to reports.

Nadeem said the Pakistani government had been under pressure from the United States to act against Saeed or face sanctions.

This government has buckled under the pressure.

Ahmed Nadeem

The US has allegedly told Islamabad that if action is not taken against JuD and Saeed, it may face sanctions.

It was unclear, though, why Pakistan decided to act now, according to media reports. A senior Pakistani defence ministry official also said that Islamabad had not heard anything from the new administration of US President Donald Trump, but had been feeling US pressure on the issue.

China’s Potential Involvement

Some Pakistan government officials have said recently that a broader diplomatic campaign – pushed by India – to isolate Pakistan over its failure to go after some Islamist groups has taken a toll, even involving pressure from longtime ally China.

While China in the past opposed India’s resolution to ban Masood Azhar, leader and founder of Jaish-e-Mohammed, in the UN, reports suggest that now China might have altered course to mount pressure on Pakistan to take action against Saeed.

The JuD is a 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 26 November 2008, which was masterminded by Saeed.

The JuD was declared a foreign terrorist organisation by the United States in June 2014.

(With inputs from media agencies.)