Islamabad: Pakistan has extended the house arrest of UN designated terrorist, Hafiz Saeed. The accused in masterminding 2008 attacks Mumbai that killed 166 people, a government document reviewed by Reuters showed.
The house arrest of Saeed, who was taken into “protective custody” under the Anti-Terrorism Act on January 31, expired on July 27.
In a document marked “secret”, the government of Pakistan’s eastern province of Punjab said it was ordering the extension on the recommendations of the federal government and the interior ministry in Islamabad.
The Counter Terrorism Department believes Saeed’s supporters plan to “spread unrest in the country” and stage demonstrations to project Saeed as a hero, Punjab’s home department said in the document, reports The Telegraph.
“Transport is being arranged, arms are also being collected for the show of force and for use, and if need be, against the personnel of law enforcement agencies. Funds are also being collected for the purpose,” the document reads.
The United States had offered $10 million for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Saeed, who is the head of JuD, which Washington says is a front for the Pakistan-based militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).
India accused Pakistan of backing the attacks through LeT, which Saeed founded in the 1990s. Pakistan has denied any state involvement and Saeed, who has distanced himself from LeT, has repeatedly denied responsibility.
Western countries have for decades accused Pakistan of harbouring militant groups and using them as proxies against bigger neighbour India, with whom it has fought three wars since independence in 1947.
Islamabad denies having such a policy.