Hafiz Saeed offers UN to visit all JuD centres

• Announces to observe 10 days for Kashmir in Feb, declares 2018 as year for Kashmiris

• Says India’s foreign policy seems to be revolving only around him

LAHORE: Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) Ameer Hafiz Muhammad Saeed on Tuesday announced to observe ten days for Kashmir from February 2 to 11.

Addressing a press conference at Markaz Al-Qadsia, he said, “The countrywide campaign will be launched to express solidarity with the Kashmiri brethren.”

He offered a UN team to visit any centre in Pakistan.

“We do not do any illegal work,” he said. “Doors of educational complex of Markaz Taiba and all of our centres in Pakistan are open for everyone.”

He said plans to freeze and take over the assets of JuD and Falah-e-Insaniat foundation have been conceived due to external pressures.

“In the past, our rulers accepted the US’ ‘do more’ mantra, and now a similar policy is being followed regarding India’s dictates against JuD. The UN delegation’s arrival for the review of restrictions on JuD has been used by the government as a pretext for all of its anti-JuD actions,” he said. “The government is trying to fool the people as it is not the first time these delegations have come. This also depicts the difference in Pakistan and India’s approach towards these resolutions. There are a plethora of UN resolutions on Kashmir but India simply does not care.”

He also lashed out at the Indian army for massacring the Kashmiris in the valley, urging the government of Pakistan to raise a strong voice and give a strong message to New Delhi.

He also announced to observe 2018 for Kashmiris and said, “We will hold all parties conferences and seminars to keep the issue in the limelight. Similarly, on a district level, programmes and rallies will be arranged. ‘Martyrdom Days’ on the anniversary of Afzal Guru and Maqbool Butt will also be observed on February 9 and 11 February respectively.”

Hafiz Muhammad Saeed called the ban on media coverage of JuD and its activities “illegal”. He said, “We are under observation in Pakistan. Why were we banned? We have filed a petition in the high court regarding the government’s steps.”

Urging the interior minister to present the court’s decision in the UN, he said, “The Supreme Court and high court have given their verdicts many times in our favour. Why the world is not giving our courts’ decisions any worth?”

He said the interior minister seemed to be inspired by Indian propaganda.

“Last year, I announced to observe the year 2017 for Kashmir. After this announcement, my allies and I were put under house arrest. On the other side of the border, India detained Kashmiri leaders,” he said. “After a 10-month detention, I announced to raise a forceful voice for Kashmir. When I declared 2018 as the year of Kashmir’s freedom, India accelerated its propaganda campaign against us. Israel and the US have also embraced India’s vicious course.”

He said, “Israel has announced to support Indian surgical strike. After the agreement between India and Israel, intensive firing has been witnessed at the Line of Control.”

India’s foreign policy seemed to be revolving only around Hafiz Saeed, he said, adding that his issue with India was regarding Kashmir only.

He said, “We are serving the humanity in the whole country. Monthly ration, free education and healthcare facilities have been provided to Kashmiri refugees for the past seven years. The government is not giving any aid.”

JuD head of political affairs Hafiz Abdul Rehman Makki, Moulana Ameer Hamza and Abul Hashim Rabbani were also present.