Jamaat-ud-Dawa chief and the mastermind of the 26/11 terror attack, Hafiz Saeed, got out on Friday after the Pakistan government withdrew jail staff from his residence in Lahore’s Johar Town area late on Thursday, The Nation reported. Saeed, who was under house arrest for 297 days, was showered with rose petals as he came out of his house on Thursday night. He is expected to address followers before the Friday prayers at al Qadsia Islamic Centre, which is the militant group Jamaat-ud-Dawa’s headquarters. “He is free, we are happy. Thank God there is no more restriction,” Nadeem Awan, a spokesman for Jamaat-ud-Dawa, told Reuters.
India on Thursday criticised Pakistan’s lack of seriousness in bringing terrorists to justice after the judicial review board of judges from the Lahore High Court decided to let Saeed go. “Saeed’s release appears to be an attempt by the Pakistani system to mainstream proscribed terrorists,” Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said. “It is evident that Pakistan has not changed its policy of shielding and supporting non-state actors, and its true face is visible for all to see.”