Keeping up the pressure on Pakistan over the release of 26/11 attacks mastermind Hafiz Sayeed, the White House on Saturday issued a stringent warning of “repercussions” in bilateral relations unless Islamabad immediately re-arrests the lashkar-e-Tayyeba founder and prosecutes him.
Stating that “a clear international consensus exists regarding Saeed’s culpability”, a White House statement said his release from house arrest on Friday “sends a deeply troubling message about Pakistan’s commitment to combating international terrorism”
Islamabad’s action of releasing Saeed without taking any step to prosecute or charge him “belies Pakistani claims that it will not provide sanctuary for terrorists on its soil”, said the strongly-worded statement, noting Saeed is “a notorious terrorist who stands accused of having masterminded the November 2008 Mumbai attacks that killed 166 people, including six American citizens”.
“If Pakistan does not take action to lawfully detain Saeed and charge him for his crimes, its inaction will have repercussions for bilateral relations and for Pakistan’s global reputation,” it went on to say.
“As President Donald J. Trump’s South Asia policy makes clear, the United States seeks a constructive relationship with Pakistan, but expects decisive action against militant and terrorist groups on Pakistani soil that are a threat to the region,” the statement said, adding: “The release of Saeed is a step in the wrong direction.”
It said the Pakistani government now has an opportunity to “demonstrate its seriousness in confronting all forms of terrorism, without distinction, by arresting and charging Hafiz Saeed for his crimes”.
The White House stance is a clear escalation of the US condemnation of Pakistan’s handling of Saeed, first set out in a State Department statement on Friday, demanding that the lashkar chief be re-arrested and charged.
“The United States strongly condemns the release of lashkar-e-Tayyiba (leT) leader Hafiz Saeed from house arrest in Pakistan and calls for his immediate re-arrest and prosecution,” said the White House statement, stressing that leT is “a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization responsible for the death of hundreds of innocent civilians in terrorist attacks, including a number of American citizens”.
It also pointed to Saeed’s designation by the United Nations under Security Council Resolution 1267 in December 2008, apart from the US’s own designation of Saeed as a “Specially Designated Global Terrorist” and offering a $10 million reward for information that brings Saeed to justice.