US Foreign Affairs body counters Trump's 'pressure' in Hafiz Saeed's arrest

After Pakistan arrested and sent Jamat-Ud-Dawa chief Hafiz Saeed to judicial custody in Lahore, reactions have started pouring in from everywhere. Taking to Twitter, US president Donald Trump responded, “After a ten-year search, the so-called "mastermind" of the Mumbai terror attacks has been arrested in Pakistan. Great pressure has been exerted over the last two years to find him!”

After a ten year search, the so-called “mastermind” of the Mumbai Terror attacks has been arrested in Pakistan. Great pressure has been exerted over the last two years to find him!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 17, 2019

Countering Trump’s assertion that ‘pressure’ paid off; US House Foreign Affairs Committee underlined that the Islamic Republic was not searching for the 26/11 terror attack mastermind for 10 years. It tweeted, “FYI Pakistan wasn’t searching for him for 10 years. He’s has been living freely and was arrested and released in December 2001, May 2002, October 2002, August 2006 (twice), December 2008, September 2009, January 2017. Let’s hold the (applause) until he’s convicted.”

FYI Pakistan wasn't searching for him for 10 years. He’s been living freely, and was arrested and released in:
December 2001
May 2002
October 2002
August 2006 (twice)
December 2008
September 2009
January 2017

Let’s hold the 👏 until he’s convicted. https://t.co/qMtD7wgSp9

— House Foreign Affairs Committee (@HouseForeign) July 17, 2019

Moreover, referring Pakistan’s action as ‘cosmetic steps’, MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said, “Pakistan's sincerity to take action against terrorists and terror groups will be judged on the basis of their ability to demonstrate verifiable, credible and irreversible action against terror groups operating from their soil and not on the basis of half-hearted measures which they undertake sometimes to hoodwink the international community.”

In March, Saeed was barred by the government from delivering weekly Friday sermon at Jamia Masjid Qadsia, the JuD headquarters in Lahore. Saeed was never stopped from delivering Friday sermons even during the years when Masjid Qadsia's control was under the Punjab government.

The JuD is believed to be the front organisation for the LeT which is responsible for carrying out the Mumbai attacks. It had been declared as a foreign terrorist organisation by the US in June 2014.

The US Department of the Treasury has designated Saeed as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist, and the US, since 2012, has offered a $10 million reward for information that brings him to justice.

The JuD is believed to be the front organisation for the LeT which is responsible for carrying out the Mumbai attacks. It had been declared as a foreign terrorist organisation by the US in June 2014.