The government on Monday accused Jamaatud Daawa (JD) chief Hafiz Saeed of conducting activities that put Pakistan’s relations with “neighbouring countries” at risk. The allegations were made against Hafiz Saeed in the Lahore High Court after a lawyer representing his family challenged the detention of the former leader of the proscribed Lashkar-e-Taiba, who was taken into custody in August.Assistance Advocate General (AAG) Haneef Khatana presented Hafiz Saeed’s detention orders in court, which stated that JD had stepped up its activities, which could be detrimental to public peace and could have serious repercussions with reference to the stated position of Pakistan. It was also stated that Faisalabad and Multan police had reported that Hafiz Saeed was patronising collection of donation for war victims of Lebanon and Palestine, which were banned under the law.
The government also denied the allegation that Hafiz Saeed was not provided proper medical facilities and food. The court was told that Hafiz SaeedÂ’s family was allowed to meet him frequently at Sheikhupura Rest House and he had also been allowed to lead Friday prayers at a place of his choice within Sheikhupura. Ahmed Ghazi, representing the JD chief, said that Hafiz Saeed was released at 8:30pm on August 28, but rearrested at 11pm. He asked if it was possible for anyone to campaign for donations so late at night in less than three hours. The judge asked the AAG why the government had decided to detain Hafiz Saeed instead of the people who were collecting donations.