New Delhi, September 26: Days after India asked for strong global action against terror groups, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has approved a Pakistan request that the 26/11 mastermind Hafiz Saeed be allowed to withdraw money for monthly expenses to “support a family of four” as he “is responsible for their food and clothing”.
In a letter dated August 15, the UNSC said the request was approved after no objections were raised by the deadline of the same date.
According to the news agencies, the UN Security Council’s 1267 Committee, which oversees sanctions against terrorists, received a letter from Pakistan stating that Saeed supported a family of four and as a sole supporter, he was responsible for the “food and clothing expenses for all family members”.
The letter requested the committee to let Saeed withdraw Pakistani rupees 1.5 lakh “to cover the necessary basic living expenses for himself and his family”.
Subsequently, in a notification dated August 15, the UNSC committee said: “…The Chair wishes to inform the members that no objections were placed by the set deadline of August 15, 2019 for the consideration of the draft letter. Consequently, the letter is approved and the chair will instruct the Secretariat to dispatch it.”
Pakistan had stated in its letter that its government had received a request from “a Pakistani citizen Hafiz Saeed”, who has “worked as assistant professor in University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore, for the period 1974 to 1999, he had completed a pensionable service of 25 years and is drawing a pension of Rs 45,700 through his bank account…”.
The country said his bank account was blocked in compliance with the UNSC resolution 1267.
Saeed is a global terrorist and was banned by the UNSC after the 2008 Mumbai attacks in which 166 people were killed.
The letter is expected to generate a huge political controversy with India accusing Pakistan of providing safe haven to terrorists like Saeed.
In May, Pakistan’s Counter-Terrorism Department had booked Saeed and top leaders of his outfit Jamaat-ud-Dawa on charges of terror financing. Saeed was arrested in July and is currently lodged at Lahore’s Kot Lakhpat jail.
