Yesterday, the Pakistan Government decided to release Lashkar e Taiba Chief Hafiz Saeed from house arrest. Hafiz has been accused of being the mastermind behind the 2008 Mumbai Attacks.
India and the U.S., are extremely disappointed in this move by the Pakistani Government. The U.S. has expressed “deep concern” and expect the Pakistan Government to arrest Hafiz immediately and charge him for his crimes.
The U.S., State Department spokesperson, Heather Nauert released a statement that said, “The United States is deeply concerned that Lashkar e Tayyiba (LeT) leader Hafiz Saeed has been released from house arrest in Pakistan. LeT is a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization responsible for the death of hundreds of innocent civilians in terrorist attacks, including a number of American citizens. The Pakistani government should make sure that he is arrested and charged for his crimes.”
On the other end, former High Commissioner of Pakistan to India Abdul Basit said Islamabad is not to blame for the release of Saeed. He was quoted saying, “Pakistan cannot be blamed for this. It is India that has failed to share hard evidence. People cannot be tried and sentenced on the basis of literature and self serving accusations.”
India’s Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said, “It also appears to be an attempt by the Pakistani system to mainstream proscribed terrorists. Pakistan has not changed its policy of shielding and supporting non state actors and its true face is visible for all to see.”
