Amid increasing pressure on Pakistan to act on global terrorist Hafiz Saeez, its all-weather friend China has reportedly asked Islamabad to shift the 26/11 mastermind to a West Asian nation.
According to a report in The Hindu, it was none other than Chinese President Xi Jinping, who personally conveyed this to Pakistan PM Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on the sideline of the Boao Forum in China last month.
‘The Chinese President was keen on pressing the Prime Minister to find an early solution to keep Saeed away from the limelight,’ an official, who was privy of the discussion, was quoted as saying by the daily.
The JuD is believed to be the front organisation for the Lashkar-e-Taiba, which is responsible for carrying out the Mumbai attack that killed 166 people, including six Americans.
The US Department of the Treasury has designated Saeed as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist, and the US, since 2012, has offered a $10 million reward for information that brings Saeed to justice.
Earlier, on May 5, the Mumbai attack mastermind had filed a petition in the Lahore High Court, challenging a provincial government's decision to withdraw his security.
The provincial government of Punjab in Pakistan last month had withdrawn policemen deployed for the security of Jamaat-ud Dawa chief after the Supreme Court directed inspector-generals of Islamabad and all four provinces to take back security escorts from people who are not entitled to it.
The chief justice, however, later directed the top provincial police officials to ensure the provision of security to all those who face genuine security threats
In a petition filed through his counsel Advocate AK Dogar, Saeed had said the Punjab government on the pretext of the apex court order has withdrawn his security.
He had said the Supreme Court had ordered that the security of those facing life threat should not be withdrawn.
"But the government made a wrong interpretation of the Supreme Court order in my case and has withdrawn my security despite threats to my life," Saeed said in his plea.
The founder of Lashkar-e-Taiba, who carries a USD 10 million American bounty for his role in terror activities, had accused the government of discrimination in his case.
"I request the court to make it a binding to follow the Supreme Court order in letter and spirit across the board and restore my security," he prayed.
The JuD usually makes an elaborate arrangements for the security of Saeed wherever he goes. Even at home the JuD special squad has been given the task of his security.
