LAHORE: Jamaatud Dawa (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed has announced to contest the next general elections from the platform of the Milli Muslim League (MML)—an offshoot of JuD.
Talking to a group of journalists at Jamia Qadsia on Saturday, Saeed, the alleged mastermind of 2008 Mumbai attacks, said that the decision to field his party – though placed on an anti-terror watch list in February– in the political arena was aimed at helping to “highlight the Kashmir cause internationally”.
“I strongly believe that after winning elections, the MML will be able to work decisively for the Kashmir cause … this is why I support it,” said Saeed.
Blaming the government for adopting a soft stance over the issue, Saeed said Pakistan’s incumbent government had bowed down to appease New Delhi.
However, he said that he would underscore the struggle of Kashmiris by holding conferences, seminars and public meetings. “No matter what, we will not abandon the Kashmir cause. The government has failed to achieve any breakthrough or help the Kashmiris through its back channel diplomacy,” he said.
Saeed termed it a good sign that Pakistan’s flags were being hoisted in various parts of India, and Indian Muslims distributed sweets after his release. “In Pakistan, we are free to continue our humanitarian services,” he remarked.
He asked the people, army and the government of Pakistan to adopt a pro-Kashmir stance for the sake of Kashmiris.
The JuD chief, who has a $10 million bounty on him by the US state department since 2012 for his alleged role in acts of terror, was set free last week from home detention on the directives of the Lahore High Court.
Earlier this year, the Milli Muslim League (MML), the political party formed by JuD, had signalled its intention to contest the general elections next year.
MML is not recognised by the Election Commission of Pakistan, but it still participated in the by-polls—NA-120 in Lahore and NA-4 in Peshawar— through its “proxy” candidate.