Islamabad: LeT operations chief Zakiur
Rehman Lakhvi and six others, being tried in an anti-terror
court for involvement in Mumbai attacks, were arrested by the
Pakistani authorities with the "sole purpose of pleasing"
India, JuD chief Hafiz Mohd Saeed has claimed.
"The truth is that the (Pakistan) government arrested
various leaders who endorse 'jehad' in Kashmir and did so for
the sole purpose of pleasing India. These leaders are now
enduring in-camera hearings in (an) anti-terrorism court...,"
he alleged in a letter written on the first anniversary of the
26/11 attacks to TV anchor Hamid Mir who has often espoused
support for groups like JuD.
Lakhvi and six others were indicted by the anti- terror
court in Rawalpindi for their role in planning and helping
execute the attacks. All the accused have pleaded not guilty.
Saeed further said: "My real 'crime' is that I
vociferously and comprehensively highlight the Kashmir issue.
Kashmir is Pakistan's jugular vein and we can never close our
eyes to it."
Though India and the US had succeeded in getting the
UN Security Council to impose restrictions on JuD, the group
has submitted a "formal request for de-listing in accordance
with the rules of the UNSC," Saeed claimed. He said the UNSC
and the EU had "contacted us for further clarifications. Our
case is still pending at the UNSC."
PTI
First Published: Friday, November 27, 2009, 18:08