[Reader-list] JuD ban an eyewash

[Rahul Asthana]

http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=152210
JuD ban an eyewash
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
The much-trumpeted operation against Jamaat-ud-Daawa following a United Nations’ resolution against the terrorist outfit seems to be, frankly speaking, mere eyewash. One, the government had already forewarned JuD of the crackdown. This had provided ample time and opportunity to outfit members to disappear from the scene. Most offices of these organisations were found empty and locked when raided by the police. The police made no effort to enter these offices to seize any record or related incriminating evidence against them.

Two, Hafiz Mohammad Saeed, who is the head of the JuD, has been put under ‘house arrest’ where the detainee will not only have the comforts and facilities of his own abode, but also he will be able to communicate freely with JuD’s underground and field operatives without any check. Maulana Masood Azhar of the banned Jaish-e-Mohammad will enjoy the same privilege while he is under house arrest without any effective surveillance.

Three, it is only a matter of time when all the detainees will be free either by the courts on bail applications or upon the expiry of the statutory period of detention under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) ordinance or even for lack of evidence against them.

Also, there is apparently no law to stop these outfits to re-emerge under a different name. As for the freezing of assets and bank accounts of these organisations, they had enough time to withdraw funds and transfer cash to safe places as reported by your newspaper on Dec 15. The whole operation and the ongoing crackdown against these so-called jihadi or terrorist organisations seem to be a re-run of the 2001-2002 operation.

M S Hasan

Karachi