JuD files petition in LHC over ban on welfare activities

Petitioner argues it is unconstitutional to bar anyone from carrying out welfare activities

LAHORE: The Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) submitted a petition against government blockade over their welfare activities at Lahore High Court (LHC) on Friday.

Counsel for petitioner Advocate Dogar earlier 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.

According to reports, LHC has sent a notice to the federal and provincial government asking for a response from them within 15 days.

Justice Aminuddin Khan heard this matter at the request of JuD chief Hafiz Saeed.

The petitioner stated that JuD has always been active in welfare activities and the US and India are creating a hindrance in the regular party affairs which is uncalled for.

"It is unconstitutional to bar anyone from carrying out social welfare activities," the Counsel for petitioner noted.

He further said that the government must allow the party to let them conduct the welfare activities without creating any hurdles.

The Lahore High Court on March 8 extended its order till April 4 under Justice Aminuddin Khan to take no action against 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.

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.