Punjab seeks three-month detention of Saeed

LAHORE :The Punjab government on Tuesday produced Jamatud Dawa (JuD) chief Hafiz Muhammad Saeed before a provincial review board comprising judges of the Lahore High Court and sought a three-month extension to his detention.
An official of home department submitted before the review board that release of Hafiz Saeed could lead to imposition of international sanctions on Pakistan. When asked by the board, the official said the JuD leader had been detained in light of intelligence reports.
A law officer told the board that finance ministry had some material to justify detention of Saeed. The officer, however, could not satisfy the board when asked whether four other JUD leaders released last month caused any threat to law and order. The board headed by Justice Abdul Sami Khan adjourned hearing for a day and sought personal appearance of any responsible official from the finance ministry along with relevant record. Justice Sadaqat Ali Khan and Justice Aalia Neelum were the other two members of the board. Strict security arrangements had been made at the high court for the appearance of Hafiz Saeed before the review board.