A Review Board comprising the Lahore High Court judges on Wednesday set aside detention of Jamatud Dawa (JuD) Chief Hafiz Muhammad Saeed. The board headed by Justice Abdul Sami Khan directed the government to release Hafiz Saeed on expiry of his 30-day detention if he was not required in any other case. The government had sought three-month extension in the detention of Hafiz Saeed as his latest detention period is set to expire on Thursday (today).
Earlier, during in-camera proceedings, officers from the finance ministry and home department Punjab presented documentary record in support of the detention of Saeed. However, they failed to give satisfactory answers to the queries posed by members of the board regarding alleged anti-state activities of Hafiz Saeed. The judges asked the government officials to present, if any, evidence to prove involvement of the JuD leader in any illegal or anti-state activity. The finance ministry's official took a stance that Pakistan could face international sanctions if Hafiz Saeed was released.
The board however was not satisfied with the government's point of view and set aside the detention of Hafiz Saeed. Previously, the review board had extended detention of Hafiz Saeed for another 30-days starting from October 25. Initially, the provincial government in January this year had detained Hafiz Saeed for a period of 90 days. Later the government kept extending detention period on its own under Maintenance of Public Order.
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