Pakistan files two cases against Hafiz Saeed

FAISALABAD - The Pakistani authorities have filed two separate cases against Hafiz Saeed, the alleged mastermind of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks and chief of the banned Jamaat-Ud-Dawa group, a media report said Thursday.

The cases were filed in two police stations in Faisalabad on the basis of sermons Saeed made recently, expressing his grave concerns over the stand by India, Israel and the US on Pakistan’s nuclear assets.

He also expressed concern over the Pakistani government’s change in Kashmir policy during his sermons at iftar parties Aug 26 and 27 in Faisalabad.

Hafiz Saeed has also been indicted on charges of appealing for jihad fund despite a strict ban on such appeals, the Online news agency reported.

Over 170 people, including 26 foreigners, were killed in the Nov 26-29, 2008 Mumbai attacks.

In December 2008, Saeed was brought under house arrest after banning the Jamaat-Ud-Dawa by the Pakistani authorities. However, in June this year a Pakistani court released him.

Meanwhile, India accused Pakistan of blocking the inquiry into the 26/11 Mumbai attacks and safeguarding Saeed.

“They (Pakistan) have a vested interest in safeguarding Hafiz Saeed. We have no doubt that Saeed is the brain behind the 26/11 attacks and have evidence to prove it,” Indian External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna told a TV news channel in an interview recently.