Advice from Washington has finally convinced Islamabad to take action against Hafiz Saeed of the Jamat-ud-Dawa (JuD), and action against others, including Masood Azhar of the banned outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad, is likely to be taken in the next few days.
A source told this scribe that the Trump administration conveyed their advice for immediate action against Hafiz Saeed in lieu of a long term partnership.
“A subtle message was conveyed to Ambassador Jalil Abbas Jilani by the US state department for immediate action against Hafiz Saeed. In his meeting with Ambassador Jalil Abbas, the United States assistant secretary of state referred to the Asia Pacific Group on Money Laundering (APG)’s latest report which raised key objections regarding the activities and financial traffic of the JuD,” the source added.
The source said that the US may have to include Pakistan in a blacklist of countries in the International Cooperative Review Group (ICRG) if their advice was not followed. In the case of being blacklisted, Pakistan would have to tender a request for each of its international transactions through international financial institutions.
Well-placed sources in the federal government have also informed Pakistan Today that all concerned authorities were on the same page for taking further action against Hafiz Saeed and others.
Government beefs up security at Hafiz Saeed’s house
After orders declaring both houses of JuD Chief Hafiz Saeed as sub-jails and putting him under house arrest, security has been tightened around both of his houses.
All routes leading to Saeed’s residences, located in Johar Town, Lahore, were sealed. Barriers were installed at entry and exit points, and no one was allowed to move inside or outside the area.
Only servants of Saeed are allowed to move through the area, and that too after passing through security check posts.