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Saeed vows to fight for Kashmir after release (Roundup)
Lahore, Nov 24 (IANS) Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) founder Hafiz Saeed on Friday vowed to continue the “jihad” for Jammu and Kashmir’s “independence”, shortly after the man accused of plotting the 2008 Mumbai massacre was released after 10 months of house arrest.
Speaking to his supporters at Lahore’s Jamia Masjid Al Qadsia, the Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) leader spewed venom against India and the Pakistani civilian leadership.
Saying he was “fighting for the freedom of Pakistan and Kashmir”, he said he had been put under house arrest for fighting for the rights of Kashmiris and Pakistani leaders were making decisions under external pressure.
“If the leaders of Pakistan start making their own decisions, they will no longer face external pressure,” he thundered as his supporters kept raising slogans hailing him.
Saeed, who carries a $10 million bounty announced by the US for his role in terrorist activities, also accused ousted Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif of committing treason by seeking friendship with India and forgetting the Kashmiri cause.
“Sharif has been punished for forsaking Kashmiris. Sharif was ousted because he committed treason with Kashmiris.”
Speaking about alleged Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav, sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court, Saeed said: “Peace can’t be established in Pakistan if (such) terrorists continue to enter the country.”
Saeed was released after Thursday midnight after the Pakistan government decided against detaining him further.
In an earlier address to his supporters massed outside his Johar Town residence, Saeed thanked the Lahore High Court for refusing to buy the government’s arguments that his release would pose a threat to public safety.
“I’m happy that no allegation against me was proved, which could have done damage to me, or my country’s interests,” Saeed told supporters. He called his release a “victory” for Pakistan.
“Just as I am free today, Kashmir will also be free one day,” Saeed said. “It is because of Kashmir that India has been after me.
“I pray to Allah to give us strength so that we keep fighting for Kashmir’s independence (from India),” he said.
A court on Wednesday ruled out prolonging Saeed’s detention due to a lack of evidence or justification for it. Saeed was placed under house arrest on January 30.
The US expressed deep concern over Saeed’s release and asked Pakistan to “arrest and charge” him for his terrorist crimes. There was no official comment from India, which had earlier said that his impending release showed Pakistan was not sincere in fighting terrorism.
The US and the UN classify JuD as a terrorist group and it is alleged to be a front organization for the terror outfit LeT, whose attack on Mumbai led to the death of 166 Indians and foreigners and almost brought India and Pakistan to war.
“Lashkar-e-Taiba is a designated Foreign Terrorist Organisation responsible for the death of hundreds of innocent civilians in terrorist attacks, including a number of American citizens,” the State Department spokeswoman said.
Interpol has also issued a red notice for his arrest.
New Delhi also accuses the LeT of carrying out terror attacks in other parts of India, including Jammu and Kashmir, where a separatist campaign backed by Pakistan and raging since 1989 has left thousands dead.
–IANS
soni/mr
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
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.