Dawa petition: Last chance for govt to respond on US bounty
Hafiz Saeed, Abdur Rehman Makki have challenged bounty set by US govt.
LAHORE:
Lahore High Court (LHC) gave the last opportunity to Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday to submit its reply on a petition challenging the US government’s decision to set a bounty on Jamadut Dawa chief Hafiz Muhammad Saeed and his deputy Hafiz Abdur Rehman Makki.
As the court resumed hearing, the deputy attorney general stated that the ministry had sought details on the matter from the US State Department. “The ministry will be able to submit its reply after getting the required details from the US,” he said. The law officer sought more time from the court.
Justice Masood Abid Naqvi adjourned the hearing till February 26. He directed the law officer to ensure submission of the reply on the next date.
Previously, the ministry had told the court that the US decision to set the bounty on the petitioners was not binding in Pakistan.
The petitioners stated that they had been running a charitable organisation and had no relation with any banned outfit.
Their counsel said that the US Under-Secretary of State Wendy Sherman had stated in New Delhi that they had set $10 million and $3 million on the heads of Hafiz Saeed and Hafiz Makki, respectively.
The counsel argued that the US had acted on the instigation of India. He mentioned that Pakistani superior courts had already exonerated Hafiz Saeed of all charges levelled against him by India and US.
“Head money is always announced for those who are hiding and are not traceable. However, the petitioners are available and ready to face any investigation. Foreign Office had made it clear to the US that concrete evidence should be provided against the petitioners,” the counsel said.
“Addressing a joint session of parliament, the prime minister had stated that the issue of Hafiz Saeed was an internal issue,” he said.
“Therefore, the announcement of bounty on the heads of the petitioners should be withdrawn. Being Pakistani citizens, the petitioners need to be protected,” the counsel said. He requested the court to direct the government to provide protection to the petitioners and make arrangements for their security.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 24th, 2014.
Lahore High Court (LHC) gave the last opportunity to Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday to submit its reply on a petition challenging the US government’s decision to set a bounty on Jamadut Dawa chief Hafiz Muhammad Saeed and his deputy Hafiz Abdur Rehman Makki.
As the court resumed hearing, the deputy attorney general stated that the ministry had sought details on the matter from the US State Department. “The ministry will be able to submit its reply after getting the required details from the US,” he said. The law officer sought more time from the court.
Justice Masood Abid Naqvi adjourned the hearing till February 26. He directed the law officer to ensure submission of the reply on the next date.
Previously, the ministry had told the court that the US decision to set the bounty on the petitioners was not binding in Pakistan.
The petitioners stated that they had been running a charitable organisation and had no relation with any banned outfit.
Their counsel said that the US Under-Secretary of State Wendy Sherman had stated in New Delhi that they had set $10 million and $3 million on the heads of Hafiz Saeed and Hafiz Makki, respectively.
The counsel argued that the US had acted on the instigation of India. He mentioned that Pakistani superior courts had already exonerated Hafiz Saeed of all charges levelled against him by India and US.
“Head money is always announced for those who are hiding and are not traceable. However, the petitioners are available and ready to face any investigation. Foreign Office had made it clear to the US that concrete evidence should be provided against the petitioners,” the counsel said.
“Addressing a joint session of parliament, the prime minister had stated that the issue of Hafiz Saeed was an internal issue,” he said.
“Therefore, the announcement of bounty on the heads of the petitioners should be withdrawn. Being Pakistani citizens, the petitioners need to be protected,” the counsel said. He requested the court to direct the government to provide protection to the petitioners and make arrangements for their security.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 24th, 2014.