UNSC should have given JuD chance to defend itself: Pak Court

LAHORE: A Pakistani court has observed that the UN Security Council should have given the outlawed Jamaat-ud-Dawah a "fair chance" to defend itself before slapping a ban, which it said appears more "racial and religious" in nature.

The observation was made by a three-member bench of the Lahore High Court that is currently hearing a petition filed by JuD chief Hafiz Mohammad Saeed and his aide Col (retired) Nazir Ahmed challenging their detention in the wake of the Mumbai terror attacks.

The court further remarked that the UNSC's ban on the JuD appeared to be more "racial and religious" in nature. It said it was the right of any organization like the JuD to defend itself before the UN.

Saeed's counsel A K Dogar continued his arguments against his detention.  He questioned why Saeed and Ahmed were still being detained when two other JuD leaders Amir Hamza and Mufti Abdur Rehman placed under house arrest on same grounds had been released by a judicial review board.

The bench subsequently adjourned hearing till May 12.

In the wake of the Mumbai terror attacks, several JuD leaders were placed under house arrest on December 12 last year under the Maintenance of Public Order ordinance, which allows a person to be held for up to 90 days.

The judicial review board of the Lahore High Court subsequently extended Saeed's detention twice.