LHC bars action against JuD chief Hafiz Saeed till April 4

Lawyer said action against Hafiz Saeed by government based on pressure from US

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Wednesday extended its order till April 4 under Justice Aminuddin Khan to take no action against Jamat-ud-Dawa (JuD) chief Hafiz Muhammad Saeed after his plea about possible arrest at the behest of the United States and India.

The government lawyer pleaded the court to give more time to submit replies at which, Justice Khan gave another chance to the government lawyers to present their replies. Counsel for the petitioner, Advocate A. K Dogar contended that a delegation of the UN was going to arrive in Pakistan on Jan 26 and the government had planned to take strict action against Hafiz Muhammad Saeed.

Advocate Dogar said that Hafiz Saeed was founder/chairman of JuD and Falah-i-Insaniat Foundation (FIF) and established 142 schools, and three universities. He added that Hafiz Saeed was engaged in public welfare activities for the last several years.



The counsel said that the Punjab government had earlier detained the petitioner under Maintenance of Public Order for 90 days. However, a review board comprising judges of the High Court denied an application of the government for further detention and house arrest of Jud chief as it failed to justify the detention before the board.

The lawyer stated that the actions taken against Hafiz Saeed by the government were based upon the pressure of the US and the Indian lobby, which had been propagating against him in the name of Mumbai attacks. He asked the court to stop the government from taking any illegal action against the JuD leader. The court would resume hearing on April 04.