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Hafiz Saeed set to walk free

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Islamabad, Nov 23 (IANS) Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) founder Hafiz Saeed, accused of masterminding the 2008 Mumbai massacre, is all set to walk free after about 10 months of house arrest.

A Lahore High Court review board on Wednesday rejected an appeal of the Punjab government seeking to extend the Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) chief’s detention for more three months and ordered his release. His current detention order expires on Thursday.

Saeed and his four aides — Abdullah Ubaid, Malik Zafar Iqbal Shahbaz, Abdur Rehman and Qazi Kashif Hussain — had been under house arrest since January under the Anti-Terrorism Act.

A source in the Punjab government, however, told the Nation that the authorities were planning to keep the JuD chief under house arrest in another case pending against him.

He has been declared a global terrorist by the UN and the US for his role in the Mumbai attack that killed 166 Indians and foreigners and has a $10 million bounty on his head.

A three-member board passed the order for his release when the provincial and federal governments failed to bring any convincing evidence against Saeed.

The move came just days after the US Defence Department persuaded Congress to drop a provision that had linked reimbursements to Pakistan with demonstrable action against LeT.

“It astounds me that we keep giving Pakistan money – military and foreign aid – and they’re a haven for terror groups from the Taliban to LeT. The military folks over the years have not made the case to me that we should continue military support to Pakistan,” Republican Congressman Ted Poe said last week.

Following the court decision, JuD Information Secretary Nadeem Awan said: “We are overjoyed to announce that after waiting for 10 long months, our chief will finally be free.”

He said the government’s lawyers had repeatedly argued in court that Saeed was a threat to public safety and that his release could lead to international penalties for Pakistan for not moving against terrorism financing.

“But at no point was the government able to provide any actual evidence for these charges,” he said.

Saeed told the media on Wednesday that an end to his detention was tantamount to a victory of truth and called the decision “a serious blow” to India’s demands that he be kept in custody and punished for the 2008 massacre.

Later, in a video message released by his party, Saeed said he was detained because of his association with Jammu and Kashmir.

“It’s because of Kashmir that India is after me, but all her efforts have been in vain and Allah has set me free.”

Saeed’s advocate A.K. Dogar said the JuD leaders had been detained merely on the basis of allegations, without any substantial evidence against them, and called the call for extending the detention “illegal” and a “violation of basic rights”.

–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma

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World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.

Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.

During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.

On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”

Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.

It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.

Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.

Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”

On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”

The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.

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