What Happened: Pakistani authorities have confirmed the arrest of Hafiz Mohammed Saeed, the leader of a banned charity that is suspected of maintaining links to the militant Lashkar-e-Taiba group, in connection with a terrorism financing case, Dawn reported July 17.
Why It Matters: Saeed, the head of Jamaat-ud-Dawa, is one of the most influential militants in Pakistan. His arrest comes as Islamabad confronts increasing pressure from the Financial Action Task Force to ramp up its efforts against terrorism financing or face potential blacklisting by the watchdog.
Background: It remains unclear whether Saeed's detention is temporary or whether he's facing long-term imprisonment, which could provide a significant sign that Pakistan is stepping up its counterterrorism efforts.
Read More:
- Pakistan's Prime Minister Will Struggle With an Economic Slowdown of His Own Making (July 1, 2019)
- Pakistan: The Political Cost of Islamabad's New IMF Loan (May 13, 2019)
- Pakistan Trudges Along a Familiar Economic Path (Sept. 21, 2018)
