Following international pressure, Pakistan opposes registration of Hafiz Saeed’s party

The Pakistan Interior Ministry stated that both JuD and its charity wing Falah-i-IInsaaniyat, are under sanctions within the country and also globally.

More than a month after the launch of Milli Muslim League (MML), backed by terror outfit Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD), the Pakistan government on Tueday opposed the registration of MML as a political party. Citing international pressure and refusal of security clearance by intelligence agencies, Pakistan’s Interior Ministry, in a letter to the Election Commission, stated that several countries have raised the issue diplomatically.

The Election Commission is now considering the application of the newly launched party. In its letter, the Pakistan Interior Ministry stated that both JuD and its charity wing Falah-i-IInsaaniyat, are under sanctions within the country and also globally.

Accused of being the front of the anti-India militant group which staged the 2008 Mumbai attack, Hafiz Saeed’s Jamaat-ud-Dawa declared its decision to enter the political space of Pakistan, last month. Inciting much controversy, JuD launched MML on August 8, and even fielded a candidate in an independent capacity, in the recently held by-poll for NA-120 Lahore. The by-election was held for the seat which went vacant following the disqualification of the former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

With JuD chief Hafiz Saeed’s photograph on the banner, MML used social media platforms to campaign for the party’s candidate who managed to clinch 5,800 votes. Reportedly, during its anti-India campaign the party accused the ruling PML(N) and Nawaz Sharif for being pro-India. Though having lost the election, the MML candidate bagged more votes than major parties like Pakistan People’s Party and Jamaat-i-Islami. Furthermore, MML has recently announced that the party will also be fielding candidate for the upcoming Peshawar by-election on October 26.

Earlier, amid concerns among several countries, United States had sent a written note, protesting against MML’s political role in Pakistan. Declared by as a global terrorist by the United Nations, JuD chief Hafiz Saeed was put under house arrest in January this year. And with no formal charges filed against him, Saeed challenged his detention in the Lahore High Court, claiming that his arrest was due to US pressure.