Further clampdown on JuD

In a much welcome development, the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) in Punjab has booked 13 leaders of the banned militant outfit, Jamaatud Dawa (JuD), including its chief Hafiz Saeed and his deputy Abdul Rehman Makki, in 23 cases on charges of financing terrorism from massive funds collected through various charity organisations. According to a CTD spokesperson, action has been taken in compliance with UN sanctions imposed on the JuD, its affiliated outfits and leadership, as directed by the National Security Committee last January to make them "fully dysfunctional." Notably, in an earlier crackdown last March, the government had arrested scores of JuD activists, sealed its headquarters, seized assets and also took over seminaries and hospitals run by its front welfare organisations. That obviously has not been satisfactory enough for the international opinion, hence more action.
Hafiz Saeed is accused of being the mastermind of the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks that left 168 people dead, including some American citizens. He has been able to evade successful prosecution for lack of incriminating evidence. Back in 2012, the US offered a $ 10 million bounty on Hafiz Saeed. It is worth noting, however, that a principal co-plotter of the Mumbai atrocity, David Headley, an American of Pakistani origin, is imprisoned in the US. Indian investigators were given access to him, yet neither Washington nor New Delhi handed Islamabad evidence that could help bring the JuD Emir to justice. Be that as it may, the timing of the present move is widely seen to be related to two important factors. One is Prime Minister Imran Khan's visit later this month to the US, which has long been demanding action against the JuD, and in a significant gesture the US, just a few days ago, designated the so-called Baloch Liberation Army a global terrorist organisation. Second, placed on the Financial Action Task Force's 'grey list' last year, Pakistan is under pressure from that international terrorism financing watchdog to salvage its reputation by taking effective measures to control money laundering and terrorism.
In any case, Pakistan needs to do what it has set out to do for the sake of its own peace and security. Activities of JuD and its associates have long been a cause of grave concern inside this country as well. There is a general consensus on that these people ought to be disengaged from militancy. That though seems to be the easier part. The more difficult challenge is to channelize demobilized jihadists' energies into constructive pursuits. Opinions vary on dos and don'ts for them. Left to their own devices they could turn their attention inwards, creating more problems for this state and society already struggling to stamp out violent extremism. It is imperative therefore to initiate a sensible de-radicalization and rehabilitation programme.