M A I N   N E W S

Pak SC quashes appeals against Saeed’s release
Afzal Khan in Islamabad and PTI

The Pakistan’s Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed appeals by the government against JuD chief Hafiz Saeed’s release from house arrest for want of evidence, in a setback to India’s efforts to nail him for his involvement in Mumbai attacks.

The apex court upheld the Lahore High Court’s last year order to release Saeed from house arrest. The appeals against the court’s order to release Saeed were filed by the federal and Punjab governments last year but could not be taken for various technical reasons.

“The appeals are dismissed,” said Justice Nasir-ul-Mulk, the head of the three-judge bench that heard the matter today. Saeed (60), also the founder of the banned LeT, was put under house arrest in December 2008 in the wake of the Mumbai attacks after the UN Security Council declared the JuD a front for the Lashkar-e-Taiba.

After he challenged his detention in the Lahore High Court, Saeed was freed on June 2 last year by a three-judge bench that said the Punjab and federal governments had failed to provide sufficient evidence to keep him in custody. Following pressure from India and the international community, the federal and Punjab governments challenged the High Court’s ruling in the apex court.

Differences between the federal and Punjab governments and the change of certain legal officials of Punjab province held up the matter in the apex court. India believes Saeed is the mastermind of the 26/11 attacks that killed 166 people, including foreigners, and carried out by the LeT. New Delhi has been demanding action against him for his involvement.