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Former Lashkar chief arrested
By B. Muralidhar Reddy
ISLAMABAD, DEC. 31. Reeling under international pressure, the Indian diplomatic offensive and military moves, Pakistan today announced that it had arrested the chief of the parent body of the Lashkar- e-Taiba, Prof. Hafeez Mohammad Saeed.
The Pakistan Foreign Office spokesman, Mr. Aziz Ahmed Khan, who confirmed Prof. Saeed's arrest, was, however, quick to add that he had been detained under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) for delivering provocative speeches and disturbing law and order. This was part of the Government's efforts to crack down on extremist elements.
The arrest of Prof. Saeed, however, undoubtedly marks a major shift in the attitude of the Musharraf Government towards the jehadi outfits and the jehadi culture in Pakistan. Just a few days ago, such an action would have been unthinkable.
Islamabad has been at pains to emphasise that Prof. Saeed's arrest has nothing to do with the international pressure on it and the Indian demand in connection with the December 13 Parliament attack, but there are few takers for the explanation.
With the arrest of Prof. Saeed, the military Government has detained the top leaders of both the organisations - the Lashkar and the Jaish-e-Mohammad - charged by India for their involvement in the December 13 Parliament attack. The JeM chief, Maulana Masood Azar, was picked up last week by police.
Prof. Saeed quit as chief of the Lashkar a week ago and appointed a Kashmiri face to head the outfit.
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