LAHORE: The Jaamatud Dawa (JuD), along with other components of Difai (defence) Council of Pakistan, on Tuesday threatened to launch a protest movement if its chief Hafiz Saeed was not released immediately.

They said the responsibility would lie with the rulers if the Kashmir movement suffered any disruption or weakness as result of the arrest. They promised to take out a nationwide rally on Feb 5 on the instruction of Hafiz Saeed and mark the day with usual fervor.

DCP Chairman Maulana Samiul Haq was of the opinion that house arrest of Hafiz Saeed was aimed at pleasing India.

“Only a few days ago, a public gathering of the DCP has designated 2017 for libration of Kashmir, which had irked India. The house arrest of Hafiz will not, in any way, affect the movement. Hafiz Saeed was released by courts. His arrest is without any reason or justification and he should be released instantly,” Haq demanded.

Abual Khair Muhammad Zubair of Mili Yakjehti Council also demanded his release and reminded the government of charitable works of the party. “Whenever people need help, it is JuD which heeds the call. Now arresting the man who has been doing all this hardly makes sense, both in political and human terms,” he demanded.

Liaquat Baloch of Jamaat-e-Islami said that the only fault of Hafiz Saeed was exposing true Indian face and brutalities in the valley. His arrest only proved that Nawaz Sharif, like Pervaiz Musharraf, had surrendered to the US pressure. “India is trying to exploit weaknesses of new American president Donald Trump, who, in turn, is putting pressure on Pakistan.”

Late last night, in his pre-arrest media talk, Hafiz Saeed himself saw conspiracy behind his arrest and said that he understood the pressure of Indian Prime Minister Narindra Modi, encouragement by the US president, and compulsion of the Nawaz government behind his arrest.”Immediately after taking oath of his office, Donald Trump called Modi and discussed all these steps that the government of Pakistan is taking now.”

He asked his followers to stay calm and continue with his mission. “You should behave in a way that reflects that Pakistan, its integrity and freedom is our first priority. On February 5, every worker of party will be on the roads to express his support for the Kashmir cause.”

KASUR: Jamaatud Dawa activists held a protest demonstration on Ferozepur Road here on Tuesday to express their concern over the house arrest of their chief Hafiz Muhammad Saeed.

Dawa’s Pattoki chapter also took out a rally

Published in Dawn February 1st, 2017