ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad Bar Association on Friday termed the detention of Jamaatud Dawa (JuD) chief Hafiz Mohammad Saeed illegal.

A general body meeting of the Islamabad bar unanimously approved a resolution criticising the government’s decision to house arrest JuD leader.

The resolution was presented by Faisal Nawaz advocate, which said the government had given in to foreign pressures, but ignored the decisions of the Pakistani courts.

The speakers at the meeting also said the government should fight cases against Hafiz Saeed in the courts.

The resolution said even though his name had been added to the watchlist of the UN Security Council, there was no provision in this particular act of the council to place him under house arrest.

It lauded the relief efforts of Falah-i-Insaniat Foundation, the charity organisation and subsidiary of JuD.

Ch Ashraf Gujjar, former PML-N candidate for NA-48 and former president of the Islamabad High Court Bar Association, said the house arrest was unjustified when there was no complaint against Hafiz Saeed.

Other speakers said Hafiz Saeed was vocal in highlighting Kashmir issue and the act by the government would weaken the Kashmir cause.

Later, the lawyers also held a rally led by Naveed Hayat Malik, president of the bar, at the District Courts F-8 Markaz.

The lawyers raised slogans against the government’s decision and in support of Hafiz Saeed.

Meanwhile, leader of Shia Ulema Council and senior member of Milli Yekjehti Council Allama Sajid Naqvi also demanded the release of Hafiz Saeed.

In a statement, Allama Sajid Naqvi said the detention of JuD leader was unlawful, and demanded that his house arrest orders should be withdrawn immediately.

Published in Dawn, February 4th, 2017