Charity run by Pakistani Islamist blamed for Mumbai attacks launches political party

Record ID: 905544

  • Title: Charity run by Pakistani Islamist blamed for Mumbai attacks launches political party
  • Date: 7th August 2017
  • Summary: SAEED'S BODYGUARDS LINED UP IN FRONT OF STAGE
  • Embargoed: 21st August 2017 16:50
  • Keywords: new Milli Muslim League party following ideology of Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) banned militant group Lashkar-e-Tayyaba (LeT) Hafiz Saeed mastermind of 2008 Mumbai attacks
  • Location: ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN
  • City: ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN
  • Country: Pakistan
  • Topics: Conflicts/War/Peace
  • Reuters ID: LVA0036T5RW3R
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: A Pakistani charity that the United States accuses of being a front for anti-India militant group that staged the 2008 Mumbai attacks has entered politics by forming a new party, charity officials said on Monday (August 7).
    The new Milli Muslim League party will follow the ideology of Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD), which the U.S. says is a front for banned militant group Lashkar-e-Tayyaba (LeT) and is run by Hafiz Saeed, the alleged mastermind of the 2008 attacks that killed 166 people.
    The charity had filed registration papers for a new party with Pakistan's electoral commission, JuD spokesman for Milli Muslim League told Reuters.
    JuD officials have always denied the charity is a front for LeT, and tout the group's humanitarian work as an example of Islamic charity.
    In the past, Saeed has often denounced democracy and the electoral process, saying it is not compatible with Islam.
    The United States has offered $10 million for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Saeed, who Reuters could not contact for comment.
    But he has always denied involvement in the Mumbai attacks of 2008 that brought the neighbours Pakistan and India to the brink of war.
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