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The provincial authorities on Monday issued orders to place Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed under house arrest, DawnNews reported and JuD spokesperson later confirmed.
The government launched a crackdown against JuD and a heavy contingent of police was deployed around the JuD headquarter and offices in Muridke and Lahore.
“A large police team arrived (at JuD headquarters) and told us that Hafiz would be placed under house arrest,” said the secretary of information for JuD, Nadeem Awan.
Awan said the police told them they had an arrest warrant for Saeed and five others at JuD headquarters.
Hafiz Saeed was reportedly present at the Qudsia Mosque located in Chauburji area of Lahore. Contingents of police and other law-enforcing agencies reached the area and surrounded the premises, sources said.
Police sources further informed that Saeed will be shifted to his residence in the Johar Town area of the provincial capital, which will then be declared as a sub-jail.
Saeed has been detained under Section 11-EEE(1) of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1977, a notification issued by the interior ministry said.
Meanwhile, the district intelligence committee has suggested the government put the JuD chief’s name in fourth schedule.
Moreover, national flags have been hoisted at the JuD offices in Lahore, instead of party flags, on the directives of the provincial home department, it added.
The provincial authorities have also started to remove the banners of JuD from the roads of Lahore.
The move comes after years of pressure on Pakistan to put Saeed on trial and could ease recently escalating tensions with neighbour and arch-foe India.
Also read: Why aren't we taking action against Hafiz Saeed, PML-N lawmaker asks
Saeed had been accused by the United States and India of masterminding the 2008 attacks on the Indian financial capital Mumbai that killed 166 people.
He, however, has repeatedly denied involvement in the 2008 Mumbai attacks.
Awan said the Pakistani government had been under pressure from the United States to take action against Saeed or face sanctions. “This government has buckled under the pressure.”
In 2012, the United States announced a bounty of $10 million on Hafiz Saeed for his alleged role in the attack in which six American citizens were also killed.
Comments (229) Closed
Finally good sense prevailed.
This is nice move by government .. but not sure what is the reason behind this arrest .
Very good step
Trump effect ...
Drama once again.
Trump effect?
Interesting development
Another Drama to mislead the world
Melodrama to escape US ban!
Hmm, whats cooking ?
More need to be done.. Hafiz Saeed is no way an innocent person.
Finally, good sense is prevailing!
Trump pressure working...
TRUMP Effect !
Action Replay..A drama put up for few more dollars from the American's.
Why only "house arrest"? And why now? Done under US pressure, or done to appease the US
It would be good if we get rid of such guys or trump may ban us too !
Trump pressure!!!!!
Mere eye wash!!!!
You guys are finally doing it .Why don't do it at the start to start the dialogue?
There is a new sheriff in town and countries can see the effect. I am glad that USA is taking steps in right direction.
Trump effect!
Time to clean up the mess
Why now? I am listening since years that they are good guys and have been doing very noble cause. So why after Trump dictate, all those changed? Think and put something logical as reply. Please don't come up with over the lie and brainless comments.
Is it a Trump effect ?
few persons want to safeguard theirs USA visa.
is this to please Trump?
DejaVu!
Is this the Trump effect?
At last Pakistan is listening to the world.
Thank you Pakistan :) A brother from India
What a great news. I wish it's a genuine effort to hold the beast accountable for his crimes against humanity.
thank you trump
well done
Trump effects
If he is guilty - prosecute him. Enough of this house arrest dramas
Trumped
Well,the ball has started to roll.
Trump effect!!
all this action is Trumped up
Credit goes to Mr. Trump... Thank You Sir!!!
If it's the Trump effect, I love u Donald Trump.
This is highly optimistic step taken by the govt. Pak Army must also be supporting under new leadership. This step must be fully supported because in the emerging new world order, people like hafiz saeed have no space to be allowed to even move freely.
Good! keep him locked.
Is it Trump effect?
House arrest is not enough. He should be put on trial not for the sake of it but to convict him meaning no show off but serious trial.
Scared? The Ban works!
It was Long overdue. Should have happened a long time ago. Today's world has no place for such elements.
@Will Trump effects.
nice step by pakistan government.
@Chetan thank trump
If he is innocent then why all this ?
drama of pakistan government!!
This is one person and a small number of his followers. If government has trouble to handle one person then how it can protect our country? That tells us that this type of people are protected and supported by our government. It is clear and one doesn't have to be intelligent to figure it out that politicians support these religious elements. Now, why house arrest him and not prosecute him for the crimes and allegations? There are questions that PML-N has to answer.
Better late than never. Hope government will keep going on this path, and save our future nations
Trump sent a message...
If Hafiz Saeed is guilty of subversive activities then why is he roaming freely and only gets briefly detained when there is an external pressure to take action? And, if he is not guilty then let him go. What is the point of repeating this drama of detaining and releasing him at every no and then.
.....and this won't be the first time.......nor the last.
Trump has just taken over the office and we can see the results long live DONALD TRUMP
What will China say? They have been defending him at UN!
It's not easy to make fool trump. He is a tough guy. At last someone came who have guts to change the world.
Trump effect???
How come? Drama again. It's a friendly arrest.
Waiting for the next move from the government.....
How can a home b a jail, He needs to b put under jail, he needs to put in jail. Wat abt others, everyone need to b put under jail.good for Pakistan development
Now Pakistan gets concerned that US might stop giving aids.This is the same old movie,Pakistan has been playing since 2008.
Trump effect. This man has already destroyed the future of so many Pakistani youths. If he is a well wisher of Pakistan, let him start a World class Modern Institute in Pakistan to educate the poor needy students. He is acting as an agent of God promising so many things after death to the innocent youths and ensuring their future dark.
Still Nobody will trust ... trust is like glass.. once broken it can't be ...
No doubt, Trump Effect
Trump or no Trump, Pakistan will always do what is in it's interest. End of discussion.
A very good step. we will hope for complete justice. .
Positive news.
Hope it does not turn into a Hindi soap.
Just a cosmetic change: would not make any significant impact.
May we be saved from evil thoughts and deed of enemies of world peace who find pleasure in creating havoc and perpetrating all forms of carnage, killing innocent people all over the world.
I think it's naive to pray for world peace if we're not going to change the form in which we live.. And the change has already been started....Let's help Mr. Trump to clean up the MESS!!!
This is actually hilarious, 1 week of Trump achieves what 8 years of Obama could not.
This is the reason the world has lost confidence in Pakistan. You can't flip flop on such a serious issue.
No wonder Indians scale so less on happiness index! Tomorrow a fly will die in Pakistan i hope the credit will be given to Trump!!
drama to escape from trump ban
Trump effect
An effort to appease Trump administration so that the flow of US dollars may be resumed resumed, government the Govt 'coffers are painfully hungry and shrieking pathetically.
Why under house arrest? Why not in jail?
@Sheraz Ali Thank You for saying that.
@Abhishek ABSOLUTELY.
About time. Long overdue.
I think this is good for Pakistan. Mr. Trump may be getting the news about this man's activities (it is not the hear-say-news, but facts). It is not about India or something as nefarious activities of this man. But, it is truly about the welfare of citizens of world and devious / treacherous teachings.
This is how Trump makes an offer you can't refuse.
brave Pakistan, kudos from India
Pakistanis need to own Pakistan. Not every journeyman and disgruntled self invited pontiff who want to lecture to a country he doesnt belong.
nothing new just a diversion. seen it before move on people
Good initial step but more concrete action should follow.
Good job pak govt. Better late than never.
Every action taken by the government is overdramatic - House arrest of Hafiz Saeed on what charges? Is it to appease India or America, why all of sudden he has become threat to Pakistan's security . If he is, then charge him and put him on the trial in the court of the law.
I call this effect as .."TRUMP EFFECT"
I would say to Trump, put travel restriction on individuals belongs to such organizations, ban their visas for a while
@Wills trump effect.
How many days since trump took office and we can see things are moving in right. Direction.
Not sure how long this drama will last. May be till the tensions are released.
@Chetan -Thank you Pakistan :) A brother from India
Yeah, I made a similar comment a few years back.
This guy shoud have been in jail long time ago.
this is why i voted for trump
Nothing will happen, it's all been done before -)
It will be good for india pak relationship
India will be Happy
Trump effect!!!
You can fool some people for some time, but not all the people all the time.
Pakistan may have received the warning from the Trump administration. It is time for Pakistan to get its acts straight and do not differentiate between good and bad extremists. New administration in Washington is not a very friendly government and Pakistan may face severe sanctions under new administration.
Correct move but a completely wrong timing!! A ban now represents pressure from a fanatic American president rather a sincere move form Pakistani government to ban an outfit.
Ind has been saying this all along. So Pak govt needs to announce whats led to the new development? Did they now find some new evidence or did they agree with evidence already passed by India?
Eight years too late.
I wish we only do what is good for Pakistan . Time now to bury Race religion ,language , ethnicity deep down in the ground.
He should be in jail long time ago.
Thank you Mr Trump for putting pressure..
I bet China wants to climb under a rock right now.
@Wills The Trump effect
They have just implemented American decision which was made by the American administration a few days ago.
Thank you Trump
Pakistan should have a clarity about its vision and that vision should include friendly relations with its neighbors, a tolerant society and a respectable place in the world.
The fiend needs to be flogged publicly for bringing disrepute to the nation. If the religion of peace and the nation founded on it is today the source of global disgust, it is largely due to men like him. House arrest is hardly sufficient punishment for the great harm he and his ideology have caused the nation.
US is powerful than UN. Pakistan ignored all whether Friend's support
@FreeMind but Trump can not be fooled.
Cosmetic action actually there is no action.
Almost a decade late but still appreciate it.
@Freund ...definitely.....
It is about time, he should be in jail not house arrest.
Mere arrest is not adequate. He should be brought to justice. I don't think Pakistan will get relief by simply putting him uder house arrest
somebody seems scared of trump
House arrest is for VIP criminals
About Time !
No difference still trump effect
why house arrest ? what wrong had he done ?
Pressure works !!
It's a very welcome development. Let us remove these nuisances between ourselves and work for the betterment of ourselves. They have done no good for anyone.
This move is welcome but have the Chinese agreed to this development becasue they always held that the evidence is not adequate and he cannot be proscribed.It should not upset our best friend.
After so much hate, mistrust and bad blood between two countries over such a long period of time, you do this... Its a crazy world!!!
He is criminal, no doubt.
@Wills US Imposing sanctions against pak if action is not taken against him . That is the main reason
US is more powerful than UN, proved once again
Just call it he got police protection!
Too little, very small step for the crime he committed.
Don't do it because US asked. Think and save Pakistani youth getting wrong preaching, and hate.
Pmln days are numbered
Government must realize that these characters are undermining Pakistan's credibility and security. Impression in the world is that he has his hand in Bombay attack. Time has changed and we must have friendly terms with our neighbors to progress. Let us all make Pakistan an industrial and a progressive country.
Carrots were of no use. New Principal Mr. Trump was appointed who came with stick. All unruly kids are getting in line.
He has been under house arrest a couple of times.
looks like Pakistan was threatened by Trump, good days are ahead for Pakistan in trump's regime
Pakistani government had been under pressure from the United States to take action against Saeed or face sanctions.
@Test Crikey : You have a point mate!
I think finally Chinese pressure worked. It's a step forward. Hope to see HS behind bars along with many more like minded.
Thank you very much Pakistan.
@Chetan thank u trump
Let's fix home first and world will follow....
People of Pakistan has chosen PML-N to lead and protect country. It is governments responsibility to keep characters like JUD in check so they cannot make all of us responsible for their dirty ignorant actions.
@Akram : Trump or no Trump, Pakistan will always do what is in it's interest. End of discussion.
If this the attitude, then that will be end of Pakistan too..
Looks like Trump started working..
It could just a drama for pleasing Trump. Future will tell...
Dictation well received.
@Salman zaidi sir dont fear trump. These guys r much bigger danger to evwrypne be in pakistanis or indians. They want to convert region to syria or sudan or yemen.. such violence is not good for any nation even pak. For pak to develop auch elements must be controlled
This has been done many a times before. Not such a big thing but an eye wash. Having said that, there is no doubt that Pak will be under tremendous pressure under the Trump regime.
Really? How many hours?
He is noble man . Please let him go
A very sensible decision by the government. They should have done it years ago. Better late than never. We should not allow a person to risk the peace between two nuclear powers.
trump effect
trump effect
Same old drama to try fool the world.
Mr. President, started helping Pakistan to solve Kashmir issues.. well satrted
Extremely positive step. Kudos to Pakistani govt.
Trump really talking.
Pakistan has Game changer CPEC and All Weather Friend CHINA .. still US pressure worked, how ?????
Trump Effect !
Pakistan will now surely have to face ban,sanctions, isolation etc from Trump Government despite any drama created. Poor country.
Trump effect or drama? Only time will tell.
Surgical strike by government under pressure from USA. And India cooperation with Trump showing results so fast. Can government please clarify if Hafiz is still a hero or an accused.
Trump Effect?? But house arrest?? What a joke!!!
When you have your money in foreign banks you have to obey!
This is a complete sham. Please don''t fooled by this so called "house arrest". He will be enjoying the comfort''s of home and continuing to do what he is doing. Has any charge sheet been created? Has been jailed? Will he be tried in court? This is just being done to appease Donald Trump so that he does not add them on his list of countries where visas to the US are not being issued.
That's good decision.
just acting under pressure.Not sincere or genuine move frm Pakistan.
How many times Hafiz Saeed had been under house arrest and to be released later on? This will not fool Donald Trump. Trump is the man of results only and not of drama.
100% Truml effect
Totally disgusting action!!!!!
@Fatma Sincerity of the government will be watched with interest the world over
Too little, too late
Govt tactic to tackle the on going pressure.
@PrincessofDHUMP : Absolutely!
@Tausif daulatabad trump zindabad
US administration will not be impressed with this cosmetic step.
@Jawaid kamal : Even a broken clock is right twice a day!
Why now?
Good step towards normalising cricketing ties with India.
This what we call 'The Trump Effect' !!
nice drama to fool the world
These sort of people living in Pakistan have given bad name to our country and Islam.
Is this really a arrest or just to show others ?
He is a permanent pain for Pakistan. He should be punished as he spreads hate. but these routine cosmetic actions won't work.
This is not the first time he would be placed under house arrest. For those of you who are saying that a simple house arrest would not work needs to know that since his last arrest he and activities of JuD are being monitored closely and are kept on a tight leash.
Good move by Pakistan. I hope they are serious this time as he was under house arrest in past also.
Look like New army chief of Pakistan has some serious plan to act. To restrict non state actors and support the democracy. He is just continuing the work left by Rahil.
Peace and people elected government is required to make CPEC success. As almost all Pakistanis are optimistic about it and having high hope of development. As a nation it is great feeling to know that you are on path of development.
Apparently pressure from all weather friend and not from India or US as widely thought.
Injustice decision done by government
TRUMP's up !
Iron brother will not be happy with this decision
Good move Pakistan... wait for the right time to take an action !!!
Now is the time for Pakistan to get it right no more excuses no more propaganda.If you tread on the right path then good luck to you.The ordinary folks in Pakistan don't want this drama they want to live day by day and earn their roti in peace.
There should be no place for such extremist outfits in our beautiful country!
thank you pakistan
Finally, he is arrested so what if it is house arrest. He deserve only arrest for the rest of the life.
Good work Pakistan... Punish him and see good friendship with us
Nice Drama by Pakistan.
Sign of changing time.
Pakistan must remember that time and tide do not wait for anybody.
@Manoj MUMBAIKAR Truth in your words.
Steps in right direction will lead the country to progress. Now the foreign policy should come in political hands also.
@Ahsan Gul The support of such elements is not from any political Government but from somewhere else.
At Long Last ............... If he has been detained under Terrorism activities, Pakistan military need to have a fast track trial they have been conducting with all other terrorist . This would show the world that Pakistan is not differentiating between Terror groups.
Horror of Trump. Pakistan could be the next on his list.
@Samir I hope you are right.
All eye wash!!!
good move
No respect is important then self respect. If i am pakistan and if i believe Hafeez has nothing to do with terrorism in past or present and his organisation JUD is only in charity, i would have never placed him under house arrest irrespective of any internal or external pressure.
No answer to the question.."WHY?"
Finally! So, it is turn of the good talibans now!
A much delayed action and still the seriousness of it is very much doubtful. This man, Ludhianavi and Mulla Aziz along with so many others need serious attention by LEA. Why house detention?, instead of outright arrest? These games never stop and how can they when we have interior minister like the Choudhry Nisar & law minister like the Rana Sanaullah
All this is either drama or putting Band Aid on a gushing wound. Terrorism must be declared as the most pressing emergency of the country and the only most effective way to banish this monstrosity from the Pakistani society would be to completely shut off all Madressahs or at least shut their foreign funding. Most of the Madressahs are the source of all sick indoctrination
@Harambe of Cincinnati This is the digital age; a broken clock shows nothing.
Scared of trump govt?
Why our government is so slow in taking the right decisions?
Typical Pakistan government pleasing it's masters shame on such leadership cowards
Pakistanis are very found of two words "Game Changer".
@syed zafar kazmI U.S You spoke the truth. Hope my comments are not censored
Too little too late and spare the world from your political drama
Stumped due to Trump effect..
Reading comments of DAWN it appears that majority of readers have welcome this action. It was long overdue.
Is n't this too little too late? Terrorism of any form is unlikely to yield positive results. Such violent elements have no place in a civilised world . We should not just arrest them, but make sure there is no fertile soil for such elements in this nation. After all, Kashmir cannot be the chain that locks us or binds us. An independent Kashmir should be the aim of india and pakistan, but for this to happen violence must stop. Otherwise kashmiris will suffer the same fate as Palestine.