Islamabad: Just before a crucial meeting of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to decide on the US$ 6 billion bailout package to Pakistan, the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) had registered a case against Hafiz Saeed for financing terrorism.
The outfits that are charged under the Anti Terrorism Act includes charities in Lahore, Gujranwala, and Multan and which are Dawatul Irshad Trust, Moaz Bin Jabal Trust, Al Anfaal Trust, Al Madina Foundation Trust, and Alhamd Trust.
The CTD has accused Hafiz Sareed and other terrorists of promoting terrorism and raising funds to facilitate terror activities. The security agency said that the proscribed outfits were operating as charities and shifting funds to terror suspects.
In February, Pakistani authorities re-instated a ban on two charities linked to Hafiz Saeed which are Jamat-ud-Dawa and Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation. This came after global pressure on Pakistan after the Pulwama attack by Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorist outfit.
Pakistan has taken the ostensible action to save its face just before the crucial Executive Board meeting of the IMF where the fate of the bailout package to Pakistan hangs in the balance. The Islamic country is reeling under economic hardships and is looking eagerly for a bailout without which there is a possibility of all round failure of the State.
The country, which is notorious for training and exporting terrorism, is low in every index of development. It is also in the grey list of the international organization FATF or the Financial Action Task Force which monitors money laundering and terror funding.
This position of Pakistan has made it difficult for the country to attract investments or loans from most of the developed countries in the world.
Hafiz Saeed is a mastermind behind many awful terror attacks in India, especially the Mumbai attacks which killed hundreds of Indians and many foreigners. The United States has put a bounty of US$ 10 million on Hafiz Saeed’s head.
