Hafiz Saeed challenges arrest

February 22, 2017 02:00 am | Updated 02:00 am IST - Karachi

Jamaat-ud Dawa Chief Hafiz Saeed on Tuesday challenged his preventive detention by Pakistani authorities. The Lahore High Court has fixed the case for hearing on Wednesday, his lawyer A.K. Dogar said. Saeed also accused the government of acting under under pressure from the U.S. Mr Dogar said there was no case against Saeed and hence he should be released immediately.

On January 30, Hafiz Saeed was placed under preventive detention along with five of his aides, their names were put on Exit Control list and added to the Schedule IV of the Anti-terrorism Act.

Pakistani military spokesman Major General Asif Ghafoor said Saeed’s detention had the backing of the military.

The crackdown against Hafiz Saeed happened after Pakistani media reported that US has called on Pakistan to impose ban on Hafiz Saeed or face limited sanctions. Pakistani authorities denied taking the decision on US pressure.

India had cautiously reacted to Hafiz Saeed's preventive detention saying it wants to see concrete steps being taken by the government in this regard.

Hafiz Saeed had been put under preventive detentions previously as well but always received a court reprieve.

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