Despite being found guilty of terror financing, the chief of Jamat-Ud-Dawa, Hafiz Saeed, is getting VIP treatment from the counter-terrorism department officials in Pakistan. A Lahore-based Anti-terrorism court sentenced him to two-year imprisonment in each of the 2 cases of terror financing.
Despite his conviction in the cases, the counter-terrorism department officials are giving him VIP treatment. Escorted by his aids, he is still roaming free in his four-wheeler, said the sources familiar with the development. The court sentenced him to five and a half years with a fine of Rs 15000 in each of the 2 cases. The sentences in both cases will run concurrently.
The Anti-terrorism court also gave him the benefit of section 382-B of the code of Criminal Procedure. Apart from him, the secretary of Al-Anfaal Trust, Malik Zafar Iqbal, has also been held guilty in the same case. He has also been given the same punishment, the Dawn reported.
Both Hafeez Saed and Malik Zafar Iqbal have been convicted under the Anti-Terrorism Act Section 11F(2) and 11(N). The activities that come under this section include membership, support, and meetings related to a proscribed organization.
Section 11-H is related to the fundraising for terrorism, while section 11-I is invoked when anyone is found using and possessing money or property for terrorism. Besides these sections, there are also some other legal arrangements to prosecute those who manage money for terrorist acts or are involved in money laundering.
Those who allegedly manage money for terrorist acts face legal action under section 11-J, while the involvement in money laundering attracts prosecution under 11-k. After the conviction in the cases, the court also ordered the confiscation of Saed’s property.
He was arrested at Kamoke Toll Plaza on July 17, 2019. He has a bounty of $10 million on his head from the United States of America. The United Nations has also placed him on the list of global terrorists.
In Pakistan, the counter-terrorism department has registered 41 cases against JuD leaders.
