‘Need Time to Get Rid of Him’: Pak Admits Hafiz Saeed a Liability

Pak Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif says the country will need some time to get rid of the ‘liabilities’ like Saeed.

Hafiz Saeed, Chief of Jamaat-ud-Dawah. (Photo: Reuters)

Pakistan's foreign minister Khawaja Asif on 26 September called mastermind of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, Hafiz Saeed, and terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba as "liabilities" for Pakistan.

Acknowledging the fact that Pakistan has to continue its efforts in curbing terrorism at an engaging Q & A session at the Asia Society in New York, Asif points out the fact that Pakistan does not have enough 'assets' to counter the 'liabilities' the country is already burdened with.

Blaming the United States majorly for the rise of extremism in Pakistan in the last 20 years, Asif says the country will need some time to get rid of the 'liabilities'.

You mentioned a name. It’s a proscribed organisation. The gentleman’s under house arrest. But I agree with you that on that score we have to do more. We have to do more. There are people in Pakistan who can be a liability in times of crisis for Pakistan and (for) the region. I don’t disagree with that.

Khawaja Asif, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister at a Q&A session at the Asia Society in New York

House Arrest of Hafiz Saeed Extended

Hafiz Saeed, the Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) chief, was the main brain behind the 2008 attacks in Mumbai.On January 31, Saeed and four others were put under house arrest by the Punjab government for 90 days under the Anti Terrorism Act 1997.

His house arrest, on 27 September,has been extended by another month by authorities in Pakistan's Punjab province, saying his activities pose a threat to peace and tranquility in the country.

(With inputs from PTI.)