Islamabad: LeT founder and Jamaat-ud-Dawah chief Hafiz Muhammad Saeed, mastermind of the 2008 Mumbai attacks, has threatened journalists for what he says backing an "anti-jihad spirit" in Pakistan and asked them to be aware of the consequences.
Addressing gatherings at Vehari and Multan in Punjab province yesterday, he claimed journalists were backing the agenda of foreign intelligence agencies and furthering "propaganda against jihad and the defence of Pakistan".
He blamed journalists for promoting "hatred against jihad".
Jihad or holy war is an integral part of Islam and is binding on all Muslims, media reports quoted Saeed as saying. Saeed, the founder of the banned Lashkar-e-Toiba, warned journalists to be aware of the consequences of "becoming tools in foreign hands".
Saeed claimed jihad is the "only way for the survival of Pakistan".
He appreciated the JuD's loyalty towards jihad and claimed the government has imposed no checks on foreign intelligence agencies that are trying to destroy his organisation.
"In spite of all the pressure, we will never lose heart and will continue to defend and help Muslims all over the world, specially the people of Pakistan," Saeed said.
The JuD, declared a front for the LeT by the UN Security Council in the aftermath of the 2008 Mumbai attacks, has stepped up efforts to strengthen its organisation in the southern part of Punjab.
The region is considered a stronghold of the Punjabi Taliban.
PTI
First Published: Thursday, October 20, 2011, 16:37