Releasing Hafiz Saeed is an attempt by Pakistan to mainstream terrorists, says India
‘It is evident that Islamabad has not changed its policy of shielding and supporting non-state actors,’ the External Affairs Ministry said.
India on Thursday heavily criticised Pakistan for releasing Jamaat-ud-Dawa chief Hafiz Saeed, the mastermind of the 26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai, from house arrest.
The decision of the judicial review board of judges from the Lahore High Court confirms Pakistan’s lack of seriousness in bringing terrorists to justice, Spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs Raveesh Kumar said in his weekly briefing.
“Saeed’s release appears to be an attempt by the Pakistani system to mainstream proscribed terrorists,” Kumar said at around the 8.42 mark in the video of the press conference. “It is evident that Pakistan has not changed its policy of shielding and supporting non-state actors, and its true face is visible for all to see.”
“It is the responsibility of the Pakistani government to fulfil its international obligations and take credible action against terrorists like Hafiz Saeed,” Kumar said, adding that New Delhi and the international community was “outraged that a self-confessed and UN-proscribed terrorist has been allowed to walk free”.
Hours after the Lahore High Court verdict, the JuD chief had vowed to work for “Kashmir’s independence” and said India was responsible for his detention. Saeed had been under house arrest since January.