‘Why Do We Nurture Hafiz Saeed?’ Asks Pakistani Lawmaker

File photo of Jamaat-ud-Dawa chief Hafiz Saeed. (Photo: Reuters)

Rana Muhammad Afzal, a member of Pakistan’s ruling party, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), sought action against non-state actors, especially Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed, reports Dawn, citing BBC Urdu.

During the National Assembly Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs’ meeting, held on Thursday, Afzal criticised Pakistan’s stand on Hafiz Saeed saying:

Which eggs is Hafiz Saeed laying for us that we are nurturing him? The efficacy of our foreign policy speaks for itself when we couldn’t curtail Hafiz Saeed.

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File photo of Hafiz Saeed. (Photo: PTI)

‘Hafiz Saeed Seen as Bone of Contention Between India-Pakistan’

Afzal, who represented Pakistan at an international meeting in France, found it difficult to stand against the narrative provided by India based on Pakistan’s support to Hafiz Saeed — a convict in the 26/11 attack.

India has built such a case against us about the JuD chief that during the meeting on Kashmir, foreign delegates mention him [Hafiz Saeed] as the bone of contention between Pakistan and India.

Named as the mastermind of the 26/11 attack that claimed over 150 civilian lives, Saeed has reportedly been in Pakistan army’s protection.

Rana said that although the government’s stance on Kashmir is correct, banned outfits were a source of embarrassment for the country.

<i>Dawn</i>&nbsp;

Internal Turmoil in Pakistan

Also Read: Nawaz Sharif Asks Military to Back Off As Pakistan Risks Isolation

Putting the internal turmoil of Pakistan on display, Nawaz Sharif-led civil government reportedly told the military chief to not interfere with the law enforcement agencies’ work, according to a Dawn report.

However, the Pakistan Prime Minister’s Office denied the report claiming it to be speculative.

Paying no heed to the development, Raheel Sharif warned India against “aggressive moves”.

(With inputs from Dawn, BBC Urdu and PTI)