26/11-mastermind Hafiz Saeed approaches UN to drop his terrorist tag
What's the story
Hafiz Saeed, founder of Lashkar-e-Taiba and the mastermind who orchestrated the 26/11 attacks on Mumbai has filed a petition with the UN to drop his terrorist tag.
Pakistani authorities had released Saeed from house arrest last week around the 9th anniversary of 26/11.
According to reports, the petition was filed by Mirza & Mirza, a Lahore-based law-firm representing Saeed.
Here's more about it.
22 Nov 2017
Hafiz Saeed released after ten months' house arrest
On 22nd November, a Pakistani court ordered 26/11 mastermind Hafiz Saeed's release from house arrest after the government failed to submit any evidence against him.
This comes even as the government expressed fears about sanctions from the international community if the JuD chief is released.
Saeed was detained in January under the Anti-Terrorism Act 1997. His house arrest was extended at least twice.
Who?
Who is Hafiz Saeed?
Hafiz Saeed is the chief of Pakistan-based terrorist organization LeT which has been banned in the US, UK, EU, Russia and Australia.
Since Pakistan banned LeT, he has continued his activities under the garb of its political-wing, Jama'at ud Da'wah.
He has masterminded multiple strikes on India, including the 26/11 attacks and 2001 Parliament attack.
Saeed is on the National Investigation Agency's most-wanted list.
Information
LeT and Saeed under the UN's watch-list
The UN banned LeT in May 2005. As detailed in the UN Security Council website, Saeed was condemned for associating with Al Qaeda and LeT, "for financing, planning, facilitating, preparing or perpetrating of acts in conjunction with, on behalf of and support of both entities."
Petition
What do we know about Saeed's petition?
Barrister Haider Rasul Mirza, Saeed's counsel to the UN refused to spill details on the petition as he purportedly didn't have his client's permission to do so.
The law-firm further refused to divulge the response they had received from the UN.
However, a Hindustan Times operative who accessed a few documents reveals that the petition seeks Saeed's de-listing from ISIS and al-Qaeda sanctions list.
Information
The move is likely to outrage India
India is already furious at Pakistan releasing Saeed from house-arrest and Islamabad's support for anti-India terrorists in general. Commenting on the petition, an Indian official states, "We're watching Pakistan's moves. The petition is another attempt by the army and ISI to mainstream a terrorist.''