Hafiz Saeed writes column in Pakistani newspaper; accuses Indira Gandhi of dismembering country

The head of banned terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba who carries a bounty of USD 10 million on his head for his role in terror activities, wrote a column on Kashmir issue and the creation of Bangladesh in 1971.

Image: Jammat-ud- Dawa chief Hafiz Saeed (File Photo)

New Delhi: Days after the video of a Pakistani minister vowing to protect Mumbai terror attack Hafiz Saeed went viral, a Pakistani newspaper has carried an article penned down by the designated terrorist, in a fresh display of audacity.  Saeed's column in a leading Urdu newspaper of Pakistan as a contributor, is drawing questions from among journalists as to how the head of a banned terror group was allowed to write in a leading daily. The head of Lashkar-e-Taiba who carries a bounty of USD 10 million on his head for his role in terror activities, wrote a column on Kashmir issue and the creation of Bangladesh in 1971. 'Illegal aggression of India on East Pakistan... Why Pakistan is avoiding advocating for Kashmiri people' written by "Professor Hafiz Mohammad Saeed" appeared in Daily Dunya (an Urdu publication of Dunya media group of Mian Amer Mahmood) on Sunday, news agency PTI reported. The article carries a picture of former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and some young men holding guns in Dhaka. He alleged in his article that ‘Indira Gandhi hatched a conspiracy to dismember Pakistan’. He regretted in the article for the failure of the then Pakistani rulers, said PTI. He has written extensively on the role of India in the creation of Bangladesh and expressed his opinion as to why Kashmir is important for Pakistan. The article has led to a debate among the journalists on whether the publication should have allowed Saeed to write for it due to some “direct” links or under “someone’s pressure”. Saeed is a designated terrorist by the US and the UN. He was put under house arrest in November 2008 but was freed by a court after few months. A court has ordered the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority to ensure that the Pakistani media does not display Saeed's pictures. Days ago, a Pakistan minister’s video had gone viral where he was seen saying he will "protect" Hafiz Saeed, contradicting Prime Minister Imran Khan's avowed policy of fighting terrorism. The leaked video shows Shehryar Afridi, minister of state for the interior, talking to Milli Muslim League (MML) leaders. When he is told about Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had refused to register Saeed's party under US pressure, Afridi says: "We will not let this happen."