Islamabad: Pakistan on Wednesday arrested Maulana Abdul Rehman Makki — the brother-in-law of outlawed Jamaatud Dawa (JuD) chief Hafiz Mohammed Saeed.
Abdul Rehman Makki has been detained over inflammatory speeches and disturbing public order under the countrywide operation against the banned outfits.
The suspect had strongly criticised the steps of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), and had appealed for funds for Falah-e-Insaniyat Foundation.
Interior Ministry officials said the arrest of Abdul Rehman Makki took place during the crackdown against outlawed organisations. He was accused of hate speech against the crackdown and criticising steps taken by the government under FATF guidelines. Makki has been booked under the Maintenance of Public Order Act in Lahore.
Makki is head of JuD’s political and international affairs wing and is in-charge of its charity Falah-e-Insaniat for which he had appealed for donations.
A crackdown was initiated by Pakistan against outlawed organisations under the National Action Plan. Pakistan has also announced the freezing of accounts and seizure of assets linked to organisations banned by the UN Security Council
Makki was designated by the US in 2010 and consequently targeted by the US Treasury Department. In 2012, the US state department’s Rewards for Justice programme also announced a $2 million reward for Makki.
His arrest is a continuation of Pakistan’s actions against outlawed groups this year. In February, the National Security Comm-ittee reimposed a ban on JuD and FiF.
A few weeks later in March, the Pakistan government announced the freezing of accounts and seizure of assets linked to organisations banned by the UN Security Council (UNSC).
