CTD arrests four of Hafiz Saeed's aides

Arrests come ahead of FATF meeting to review progress made to curb terror financing, money laundering

LAHORE: Four aides of Jamaatud Dawa (JuD) chairman Hafiz Saeed were arrested by the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) on Thursday.

The leader of the proscribed group was taken into custody in July and has been on judicial remand ever since.

The move comes ahead of next week's Financial Action Task Force (FATF) meeting to review progress made on controlling terror financing and money laundering.

Pakistan has been included on a so-called gray list compiled by the FATF.

The four aides will appear before a trial court on Friday.

Washington along with the United Nations have branded Saeed as a terrorist.

Meanwhile, India alleges he was behind the 2008 Mumbai attacks. Saeed, however, has denied any involvement in the attack.

He has said that his network ,which includes 300 seminaries and schools, hospitals, a publishing house and ambulance services, has no ties to militant groups.