COVID-19: Pak court adjourns hearing against Saeed in terror financing cases for indefinite period

An anti-terrorism court in Pakistan has adjourned for an indefinite period the hearing against Mumbai terror attack mastermind and Jamat-ud-Dawah chief Hafiz Saeed in four terror financing cases in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak in the country.

Saeed, a UN designated terrorist whom the US has placed a USD 10 million bounty on, was sentenced to 11 years in jail in two terror financing cases in February. The 70-year-old fiery cleric was arrested on July 17 and is lodged at the high-security Kot Lakhpat jail here.

"Lahore's anti-terrorism court has not been holding hearing in four terror financing cases against Hafiz Saeed and other JuD leaders for the last one month or so because of COVID-19," a court official told PTI on Wednesday.

He said the court had adjourned the hearing for an indefinite period.

'It is likely that the proceedings in these cases may resume once the issue of coronavirus is settled, he said, referring to the COVID-19 pandemic that has killed 113 people and infected more than 6,200 others in the country.

The Pakistan government on Tuesday extended the ongoing lockdown due to the virus outbreak until the end of this month.

Saeed underwent angioplasty at a hospital here last month after he complained of chest pain