Interesting! What prompted the change of heart? IMF? Terror grey list? As if by magic, dossier with all the proof needed to convict JUD was found. I wish this had been done before the entire world lost their faith in Pakistan in controlling terrorism.
Is the pressure from India and the international powers is just too high? Remains to be seen if the accused JUD leaders will be punished by courts or let off on bail after the FATF removes grey listing of Pakistan. This entire exercise is done at the behest of US. It is unfortunate that innocence of Hafiz was established in several court orders. And is he being framed again? .Is the present case also bound to meet similar fate?
Previous governments of Pakistan have always maintained that Hafiz was a social worker and he was involved only in charitable acts not in terrorism. How come this U-turn? If Pakistan arrests him (due to international pressure) then it indirectly proves the claims made by India as legitimate.
The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD), which registered the cases in five cities of Punjab, declared that the JuD was financing terrorism. So Pakistani government just discovered that JuD has been funding terrorism? They were designated as a terrorist organization by the UN in 2008. I guess it took 11 years for that information to reach Pakistan.
However, this is a step in the right direction. The region can focus on human development, technology, green energy, water, etc. instead of pity quarrels. If the intent is missing everything is an eyewash. If the intent is real, maybe it’s the last chance for the country to revive and repair her credibility on the international forum. Pakistan needs to get rid of terrorist organizations which received shelter from political parties.
On the contrary, at the same time, let’s not forget the State sponsored terrorism going on India in Indian Occupied Kashmir for more years that I remember. Up to 700,000 Indian armed forces personnel have been based in Kashmir to contain the civilian Muslim population. From being the victims of pellet guns to being used as human shields, the Kashmiris have suffered everything for so long. If that doesn’t stop, the ban on JUD would not be of much use as others would take up the battle.
This event leads to two outcomes. Firstly, the government’s relationship with JuD and LeT remains subject to speculation and any official moves against the two organizations are seen as a stopgap measure to ease international pressure. As soon as world attention moves away, Saeed becomes a free man again. Secondly, when the courts set him free, it gives him a clean chit in the public’s eyes.
Pakistani government must realize that it is because of organizations like JuD that, 200 million of Pakistanis are suffering stress inducing consequences of foreign harassment, enmity and isolation. The credibility of Pakistan as a responsible state has been tarnished and the citizens are not welcomed in any part of the world. Government needs to put an end to this terror business in the name of jihad permanently.
Pakistanis must not feel hurt and cornered by the international pressure, it is the only way towards development and prosperity. No other way. Such organizations will always bring trouble to the state and her citizens. Government needs to understand the enormous economic and strategic burden these organization are putting on the country on multiple platforms.
Take this to logical conclusion. Act against these banned outfits. There will be peace in the neighborhood, these steps will promote respect and will boost Pakistan’s dignity in the region. It will help in rooting out hate and extremism. Pakistan will avoid getting branded and blamed for terror harboring. Pakistan must not make these arrests symbolic and should respect her interest, and surely the interest lies in peace.
