Hafiz Saeed's arrest made no difference earlier: US slams Pakistan
Days after terrorist Hafiz Saeed was arrested, the United States on Friday expressed doubts on Pakistan's intentions saying his earlier arrests made no difference. Saeed, who planned the 2001 Parliament attack and the dastardly 26/11 Mumbai attacks, was nabbed on Wednesday, July 17. Earlier this month, Pakistan had booked him and 12 of his accomplices, for terror financing. Here are more details.
Saeed, arrested six times earlier, was released easily
This is the seventh time Saeed has been arrested since 2001, his first arrest being immediately after the Parliament attack. But Pakistan administration let him go easy and he continued with his terrorist activities. Hence, it doesn't come as a surprise that the US and India, both, have doubts on Pakistan's sincerity. An official of Donald Trump administration said they expect concrete steps.
Want more than 'window dressing', said official
"We've seen this happen in the past. And we have been looking for sustained and concrete steps, not just window dressing," the official told media, giving a clear message to Pakistan. Notably, Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan is due to visit the US next week.
Official clarified the US is looking for concrete action
When the official was asked if the US is convinced with Pakistan's actions against terror groups, he replied, "We're under no illusions about the support that we could see from Pakistan's military intelligence services to these groups. So we will look for concrete action." He added Pakistan has pledged to take some initial action like seizing assets of these groups.
Considering Pakistan's past, official said situation is being monitored
"Quite frankly, the previous arrest of Saeed hasn't made a difference and the LeT has been able to operate. So we're monitoring the situation. We do have concerns about links between these groups and Pakistan intelligence services in the military. That's no secret," the official added.
Earlier, Trump claimed Pakistan arrested Saeed due to US' pressure
As reports of Saeed's arrest surfaced, Trump put out a tweet claiming the action was taken due to the pressure of the US. "After a ten-year search, the so-called "mastermind" of the Mumbai terror attacks has been arrested in Pakistan. Great pressure has been exerted over the last two years to find him!" Trump tweeted, only to be corrected by everyone.
Correcting Trump, former Pakistani official said Saeed operated freely
Meanwhile, former Pakistan Ambassador to the US, Husain Haqqani wrote finding Saeed was never a problem. "He operated freely and was highly visible. He has been arrested and released many times over. The president should immediately fire whoever gave him the wrong information," Haqqani said. He also underscored that Saeed had been arrested several times before US-Pakistan talks but released soon after.
Meanwhile, powerful House Foreign Affairs Committee also criticized Trump
Unsurprisingly, India is also fed up with Pakistan's 'cosmetic exercise'
Like the US, India too has doubts over Pakistan's actions. Addressing a press meet, MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said, "It has been happening for a long time - arrest-release, arrest-release. He had been arrested after every major terror incident he perpetrates in India and then released on some grounds or other." He hoped Saeed is brought to justice this time.
