FRB demands reply over Hafiz Saeed's house arrest

Lahore [Pakistan], May 14 (ANI): The Federal Review Board on Saturday called out to the federal government asking for the reasons to be submitted for keeping Jamatud Dawa Chief Hafiz Saeed and his five aides as house arrest, as reported by The Nation. The board comprising Justice Ijaz Afzal of the Supreme Court, Justice Ayesha A Malik of the Lahore High Court and Justice Jamal Khan Mandohail of Balochistan High Court took up the matter at Supreme Court Lahore registry. The interior ministry submitted that Hafiz Saeed was detained over international pressure in lieu of being risky to peace efforts. During the proceedings, Interior Ministry's Special Secretary Ahmad Raza and additional Attorney General Naseer Bhutta and Assistant Advocate General Sattar Sahil appeared before the board. The police also produced the JuD chief before the board under high security arrangements. As per a law officer, Hafiz Saeed persuaded people to resort to terrorism and Jihad, adding that the speeches he delivered fueled the ongoing tussle regarding Kashmir. Responding to the notion of a house arrest over international pressure, the FRB while drawing upon the legislation said Hafiz should be given a chance to defend his stance, adding that he was being punished only for criticising the government over its policies regarding Indian-held Kashmir. Jihad for the freedom of Kashmir is being termed as terrorism, the JuD Chief said. According to Hafiz, retaliatory movements began following the death of Burhan Wani, who was killed by Indian. He told the board that they would continue their efforts for the freedom of Kashmir. He further claimed that his organisations took part in welfare efforts while all financial matters were open and clear as their proper audit is conducted. Hafiz Saeed and his aides had challenged their detention and subsequent extension for another 90 days detention on April 30. On January 28, the Punjab government had placed names of Hafiz Saeed, Abdullah Ubaid (Faisalabad), Malik Zafar Iqbal Shahbaz (Markaz Tayyaba Muridke), Abdul Rehman Abid (Markaz Tayyaba Muridke) and Qazi Kashif Hussain of Multan in fourth schedule of Anti Terrorism Act. On February 30, they were put under house arrest for 90 days. Earlier, the interior ministry had given recommendation to the Punjab government and intimated it that Jamatud Dawa and Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation were engaged in certain activities which could be prejudicial to peace and security. (ANI)