LAHORE, Aug 28: The Lahore High Court on Monday set Jamaatud Dawa Pakistan chief Hafiz Mohammad Saeed at liberty, terming his detention illegal. Justice Mohammad Akhtar Shabbir directed the home department to order the release of the leader, observing that the Punjab government had failed to produce concrete evidence substantiating its claim that Hafiz Saeed and his organisation were planning to disrupt peace and tranquillity by holding rallies. The government’s fear, the court observed, was based on certain conjectures and suppositions which did not constitute a lawful ground to take away the freedom of a citizen.

Hafiz Saeed was placed under one-month detention at his home in Jauhar Town. He was shifted on Aug 23 first to a rest house at the Ravi Siphon and then to the canal rest house in Sheikhupura. He was released at 8.30pm.