Pak says will act if Saeed's conduct is 'objectionable'

Under fire from India and the US over the release of Hafiz Saeed, allegedly linked to the 26/1 attacks, Pakistan on Wednesday said it will take "appropriate action" if there is anything "objectionable" about the conduct of the Jamaat-ud-Dawah chief.

If Saeed's conduct is "objectionable", the government will take action, Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira said.

"The interior ministry and Punjab government will see as to what appropriate action they have to take in this regard," he added.

The Lahore High Court on Tuesday allowed Saeed's petition challenging his detention and ordered his immediate release.

The court had held the detention of the 59-year-old Saeed -- who is also the founder of the Lashker-e-Toiba terror group -- as illegal.

Saeed and numerous other top JuD leaders were detained in December last year after the UN Security Council designated his group as a front for the banned LeT, blamed for the Mumbai terror strikes.

India expressed disappointment at Saeed's release, saying the move raised "serious doubts over Pakistan's sincerity in acting with determination against terrorist groups and individuals operating from its territory".

However, Kaira told BBC that any other country did not have the right to discuss the verdicts of Pakistan's higher judiciary.

The arrest or release of one individual will not worsen or improve relations between Pakistan and India, he said.

Pakistan wants the complete restoration of better relations with India, he said. "The relations between Pakistan and India depend on the responsible attitude of the two states," he added.

Kaira also said Pakistan itself is a victim of terrorism and condemned the menace all its forms across the world.

The Obama administration is "disturbed" by the release of the JuD chief, US Special Representative Richard Holbrooke said on Wednesday.

Holbrooke, the special American envoy for Pakistan and Afghanistan, told Geo News channel that "His (Saeed's) release has disturbed us all." He also said he would take up the matter with the Pakistan government.

Rana Sanaullah, the Law Minister of Punjab province, on Tuesday indicated that a review petition would be filed in the Supreme Court against the Lahore High Court's decision to free Saeed and his close aide Col (retd) Nazir Ahmed.