For a change, the Pakistan government has for the first time admitted that Lashkar-e-Taiba chief Hafiz Saeed is involved in terrorist activities. Hafiz is also named by India as the 26/11 mastermind — its interior ministry told a judicial board that Saeed and his aides were spreading terrorism in the name of jihad.
An official representing the Nawaz Sharif government, arguing before the judicial review board that was formed to review the detention of Hafiz and four of his aides under an anti-terror Act, countered the Lashkar chief ‘s claim that he was being prevented from raising the Kashmir issue.
According to a PTI report, the Pakistan government informed the review board: “The government detained the Jamaat-ud-Dawa leaders on pressure of United Nations and international organisations.” The official told the board that Hafiz was “spreading terrorism in the name of jihad”.
This is a significant development as Pakistan government’s decision to name Hafiz for terrorism, and might have a show-down between Pakistan government and Pakistan Army in the days to come.
LeT boss is seen as a key asset and ally of the Pakistani army which helps in training and launching LeT terrorists across the LoC into J&K. LeT camps in POK are often close to army establishments and crossings of LeT into J&K are frequently assisted by covering fire. The symbiotic relationship between Saeed and Pakistan army has ensured that LeTdid not attack targets in Pakistan.
Source/s: News across the globe