Hindus protest Hafiz Saeed’s house arrest

Community condemns the house arrest of their leader and that the government has acted on international pressure

KARACHI: Jamaatud Dawa (JuD) demanded an immediate end to the house arrest of their chief, Hafiz Saeed, during protests organised in different parts of the city on Wednesday.

Members belonging to the Hindu community also joined the JuD’s protest at Karachi Press Club on Wednesday.

JuD leader Dr Muzamil Qureshi said that they condemn the house arrest of their leader and that the government has acted on international pressure.



A member of the Hindu Panchayat from Thar, Bano Bheel, said that Saeed may be a terrorist for India or United States of America. However, for the people of Thar, he has proven himself to be a great philanthropist, he said.

Protests were also organised at Water Pump Chowrangi, Johar Chowrangi, Sakhi Hasan Chowrangi, Native Jetty Bridge, Tipu Sultan Road, Shaheen Complex, Punjab Chorangi, Drigh Road and Godown Chowrangi, Korangi.

The Interior Ministry snubbed on Wednesday India’s demand for a “credible crackdown” against militant groups following the detention of Jamaatud Dawa (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed.



“Pakistan does not need any certification or endorsement from India over the recent actions it has taken in relation to Hafiz Saeed,” a spokesperson for the federal Interior Ministry said in a statement in response to Tuesday’s statement by Indian Ministry of External Affairs.

The spokesperson said the actions taken by the government were carried out as per “obligations vis-à-vis listing of JuD under UN Security Council Resolution 1267 in December, 2008”. He, however, said various actions that needed to be taken under the relevant resolution i.e. arms embargo, travel ban and asset freeze were not taken for some reasons by the previous regime.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 2^nd, 2017.