Pakistan must declare Hafiz Saeed as terrorist, asserts Hussain Haqqani

While Pakistan has delayed 26/11 trial for the seventh time, former Pakistani envoy to United States Hussain Haqqani said that Pakistan should declare Lashkar-e-Toiba chief Hafiz Saeed a 'terrorist'.

Speaking to ANI here today, Hussain Haqqani said: "Pakistan should declare Lashkar e Toiba chief Hafiz Saeed as a terrorist. It is in the interest of Pakistan to name Hafiz Saeed as terrorist and also all others whom international community views as terrorists".

"Whether they are 26/11, 9/11 or Karachi attackers, Pakistan should take action against all," he added.

The 26/11 trial is underway in Pakistan's anti terror court and according to reports Hafiz Saeed's name did not figure in the charge sheet.

India sees Lashkar e Toiba chief Hafiz Saeed as an architect of 26/11 attack and have also provided number of dossiers to Pakistan vis-a-vis Saeed's direct role in the attacks which jolted India's business capital Mumbai in 2008.

Haqqani says Pakistan should not have double standards, and added that it should not act against one group and ignore others

"Militancy will not benefit Pakistan. See how in Mali, Syria and Algeria militants have never allowed governments to be stable. Pakistan and especially the Punjab government should understand this," Haqqani added.

Haqqani also said that there are certain elements in the Nawaz Sharif government who share close relationship with some of the Radical groups in Punjab.

Hussain Haqqani was Pakistan's ambassador to United States from 2008-11 and is presently based in Washington as Director (South and Central Asia) Hudson Institute.