Pak court begins hearing of Jamaat-ud-Dawah chief's petition
Press Trust Of India / Lahore Apr 27, 2009, 13:12 IST
A Pakistani court today began the hearing of a petition filed by Jamaat-ud-Dawah chief Hafiz Mohammad Saeed and three of his close aides challenging their detention in the wake of the Mumbai terror attacks.
Justice Ijaz Ahmed Chaudhry of the Lahore High Court began regular hearing of the matter after the federal government failed to submit its response to the petition. Deputy Attorney General Navid Anayat Malik sought more time to submit the response but the court dismissed his request.
The court had last week set today as the date for submission of the federal government’s response. A K Dogar, counsel for Saeed and the other petitioners, told Justice Chaudhry that the four men had been detained due to "pressure from the US and India". He claimed they and others member of the Jamaat-ud-Dawah are not involved in any illegal activities.
Justice Chaudhry later adjourned the hearing till tomorrow. Additional Advocate General Hanif Khatana of Punjab province had earlier opposed Saeed's production in the court, saying that it could create serious law and order problems and that a large number of policemen would have to be deployed for his security.
The habeas corpus petition was filed by Saeed, also the founder of the banned Lashker-e-Taiba, and his aides Amir Hamza, Col (retired) Nazir Ahmed and Mufti Abdur Rehman.
Saeed and other Jamaat-ud-Dawah leaders were placed under house arrest on December 12 last year under the Maintenance of Public Order ordinance, which allows a person to be held for up to 90 days. Authorities subsequently sought a two-month extension in their house arrest on March 9 and this was allowed by a judicial review board of the Lahore High Court.
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