View source for Hafiz Saeed

{{Short description|Pakistani UN designated terrorist and a pakistani proxy against india responsible for terror attack in mumbai infamously known as 26/11 attack(born 1950)}}
{{Other people|Hafiz Saeed}}
{{Cleanup|reason=Significant amount of POV and unencyclopedic tone|date=April 2022}}
{{EngvarB|date=September 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}}
{{Infobox criminal
| name              = Hafiz Saeed
| native_name       = {{nobold|{{Nastaliq|حافظ سعید}}}}
| native_name_lang  = ur
| image             = Hafiz_Saeed.jpg

| image_upright     = 
| image_size        = 
| alt               = 
| caption           = Saeed in 2019
| birth_name        = Hafiz Muhammad Saeed
| birth_date        = {{birth date and age|1950|6|5|df=y}}

| birth_place       = [[Sargodha]], [[West Punjab|Punjab]], [[Dominion of Pakistan|Pakistan]]
| monuments         = 
| nationality       = Pakistani
| other_names       = 
| alma_mater        = Post Graduation from [[University of the Punjab]], Further studies from [[King Saud University]], [[Riyadh]], Saudi Arabia
| years_active      = 
| employer          = 
| organization      = 
| agent             = 
| known_for         = Co-founding [[Lashkar-e-Taiba]],
[[2008 Mumbai attacks]] in [[The Taj Mahal Palace Hotel]] in [[Mumbai]], India
| movement          = 
| opponents         = 
| party             = [[Milli Muslim League]]
| boards            = * [[Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation]]
* [[Difa-e-Pakistan Council]]
* [[Tehreek-e-Azaadi Jammu and Kashmir]]<ref>{{cite news|last1=Kaur Sandhu|first1=Kamaljit|title=Kashmir: High alert around Uri power plant after intel inputs of possible terror plot|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/kashmir-uri-high-alert-power-plant-terror-plot-nhpc/1/972218.html|publisher=[[India Today]]|date=6 June 2017}}</ref>
| criminal_charge   = Terrorism, terror financing
| spouse            = <!-- Rukhsana Begum -->
| children          = 6
| parents           = <!-- (as above) -->
| relatives         = [[Abdul Rehman Makki]] (brother-in-law)<ref name=toi_brother-in-law>{{cite news|last=Parashar|first=Sachin|title=Hafiz Saeed's brother-in-law Abdul Rehman Makki is a conduit between Lashkar-e-Taiba and Taliban|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/Hafiz-Saeeds-brother-in-law-Abdul-Rehman-Makki-is-a-conduit-between-Lashkar-e-Taiba-and-Taliban/articleshow/12539443.cms|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120701093459/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-04-05/pakistan/31293871_1_hafiz-saeed-indian-agencies-mullah-omar|url-status=live|archive-date=1 July 2012|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|date=5 April 2012}}</ref>
| callsign          = 
| awards            = 
| website           = 
| allegiance        = <!-- [[Lucchese crime family]] (only?) -->
| motive            =
| criminal_status   = [[Incarcerated]]
| conviction        = 
| trial             = <!-- Only use this if the trial is bluelinked, e.g. Mafia Commission Trial -->
| trial_start       = 
| trial_end         = 
| reward_amount     = 
| capture_status    = 
| wanted_by         = [[National Investigation Agency]] of [[India]]
| partners          = 
| wanted_since      = 
| time_at_large     = 
| escaped           = 
| escape_end        = 
| comments          = 
| victims           = 
| date              = 
| time              = 
| beginyear         = 
| endyear           = 
| country           = 
| states            = 
| locations         =  House No. 116E, Mohalla Johar, Lahore, Pakistan<ref>https://sanctionssearch.ofac.treas.gov/Details.aspx?id=10689</ref>
| targets           = 
| fatalities        = 
| injuries          = 
| weapons           = 
| apprehended       = 17 July 2019
| imprisoned        = [[Central Jail Lahore]], Pakistan
| module            = 
| signature         = 
| signature_size    = 
| signature_alt     = 
| footnotes         = 
}}
'''Hafiz Muhammad Saeed'''{{Efn|{{langx|ur|حافظ محمد سعید}}}} (born 5 June 1950) is a Pakistani militant and religious preacher convicted of terrorism.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pakistan-politics-jihad/charity-run-by-pakistani-islamist-with-10-million-bounty-launches-political-party-idUSKBN1AN1I5|title=Charity run by Pakistani Islamist with $10&nbsp;million bounty launches political party|last=Shahzad|first=Asif|date=17 August 2017|work=Reuters|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612140645/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pakistan-politics-jihad/charity-run-by-pakistani-islamist-with-10-million-bounty-launches-political-party-idUSKBN1AN1I5|archive-date=12 June 2018|url-status=live|access-date=16 July 2018}}</ref><ref name=bbc20120403>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-17594018|title=US puts $10m bounty on Lashkar-e-Taiba's Hafiz Saeed|date=3 April 2012|work=BBC News|access-date=16 July 2018|archive-url=https://archive.today/20150204090939/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-17594018|archive-date=4 February 2015|url-status=live|language=en-GB}}</ref> He co-founded [[Lashkar-e-Taiba]] (LeT),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dawn.com/news/1149307|title=Footprints: JuD's show of strength|author=Mahmood|first=Amjad|date=7 December 2014|website=Dawn.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141209003644/http://www.dawn.com/news/1149307|archive-date=9 December 2014|url-status=live|access-date=16 July 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://e.jamatdawa.org/pages.php?action=menu&id=3|title=Jamaat-ud-Dawah website-Organization|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180716053203/http://e.jamatdawa.org/pages.php?action=menu&id=3|archive-date=16 July 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2008/12/un_declares_jamaatud.php|last=Roggio|first=Bill|date=11 December 2008|website=The Long War Journal|title=UN declares Jamaat-ud-Dawa a terrorist front group|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081217113851/https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2008/12/un_declares_jamaatud.php|archive-date=17 December 2008|url-status=live}}</ref> a [[Pakistan]]-based Islamist militant organization that is [[List of designated terrorist groups|designated as a terrorist group]] by the [[United Nations Security Council]],<ref>{{Cite news |date=7 March 2019 |title=UN rejects Hafiz Saeed's plea for removal from list of banned terrorists: Government sources |work=The Economic Times |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/un-rejects-hafiz-saeeds-plea-for-removal-from-list-of-banned-terrorists-government-sources/articleshow/68303511.cms?from=mdr |access-date=17 July 2019}}</ref><ref name="lwj">{{cite web |last=Roggio |first=Bill |date=11 December 2008 |title=UN declares Jamaat-ud-Dawa a terrorist front group |url=http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2008/12/un_declares_jamaatud.php |access-date=19 March 2010 |publisher=The Long War Journal}}</ref> [[India]],<ref name="MHA_BanList">{{cite web |date=30 March 2015 |title=Banned Organisations |url=https://mha.gov.in/banned-organisations |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180503233101/https://mha.gov.in/banned-organisations |archive-date=3 May 2018 |access-date=16 July 2018 |website=Ministry of Home Affairs |publisher=Government of India}}</ref> the [[United States]],<ref>[http://www.tribuneindia.com/2003/20031226/world.htm#4 USA redesignates Pakistan-based terror groups] The Tribune</ref> the [[United Kingdom]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Lashkar-e-Toiba |url=http://www.satp.org/satporgtp/countries/india/states/jandk/terrorist_outfits/lashkar_e_toiba.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120513000855/http://www.satp.org/satporgtp/countries/india/states/jandk/terrorist_outfits/lashkar_e_toiba.htm |archive-date=13 May 2012 |work=South Asia Terrorism Portal |quote=It is also a banned organization in Britain since March 30, 2001.}}</ref> the [[European Union]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Council Decision of 22 December 2003 |url=http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CELEX:32003D0902:EN:HTML |publisher=Eur-lex}}</ref> [[Australia]],<ref>[http://www.ag.gov.au/agd/WWW/nationalsecurity.nsf/Page/What_Governments_are_doing_Listing_of_Terrorism_Organisations_Lashkar-e-Tayyiba Australian National Security, Listing of Terrorism Organisations] Attorney-General's Department {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629171548/http://www.ag.gov.au/agd/WWW/nationalsecurity.nsf/Page/What_Governments_are_doing_Listing_of_Terrorism_Organisations_Lashkar-e-Tayyiba|date=29 June 2011}}</ref> and [[Russia]].<ref>[http://www.arabtimesonline.com/arabtimes/kuwait/Viewdet.asp?ID=8534&cat=a Terror list out] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070311095831/http://www.arabtimesonline.com/arabtimes/kuwait/Viewdet.asp?ID=8534&cat=a |date=11 March 2007 }} Arab Times</ref> 


In July 2019, three months before the scheduled reviewal of [[Pakistan and state-sponsored terrorism|Pakistan's action plan]] by the [[Financial Action Task Force]], Saeed was arrested by Pakistani authorities and sentenced to an 11-year prison sentence.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-51486346|title=Hafiz Saeed: Will Pakistan's 'terror cleric' stay in jail?|work=BBC News|date=13 February 2020}}</ref> In early April 2022, he was sentenced an additional 31 years for terror financing.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pakistan: Hafiz Saeed gets 31 years in jail for terror financing |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/4/9/pakistan-hafiz-saeed-gets-31-years-in-jail-for-terror-financing |access-date=9 April 2022 |website=www.aljazeera.com |language=en}}</ref>

The Pakistan Army is criticized for claiming they jailed him, when in fact he is being housed in a military-protected residence with a private park, vehicles, a mosque, a madrasa, and additional bodyguards. His location has been traced by various security agencies to House No. 116E, Mohalla Johar, Lahore, Pakistan.<ref>{{cite web |title=Pakistan raises Hafiz Saeed's security fourfold after J&K attack; Army drones deployed |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/world/story/pahalgam-terror-attack-pakistan-raises-hafiz-saeed-security-by-4-times-after-jk-attack-army-drones-deployed-2717836-2025-05-01 |website=India Today |date=1 May 2025 |access-date=2 May 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=India Today tracks Hafiz Saeed's safe haven in Lahore |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/world/story/india-today-tracks-hafiz-saeeds-safe-haven-in-lahore-2717350-2025-04-30 |website=India Today |date=30 April 2025 |access-date=2 May 2025}}</ref>

==Early life and education==
Hafiz Saeed was born on June 5, 1950<ref>{{Cite web |date=10 December 2008 |title=Security Council Al-Qaida and Taliban Sanctions Committee Adds Names of Four Individuals to Consolidated List, Amends Entries of Three Entities |url=https://www.un.org/press/en/2008/sc9527.doc.htm |access-date=15 July 2018 |website=www.un.org |language=en}}</ref>, in [[Sargodha]], Punjab to a [[Punjabi Muslims|Punjabi]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2008\12\12\story_12-12-2008_pg1_1 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130416102346/http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2008%5C12%5C12%5Cstory_12-12-2008_pg1_1 |url-status=dead |archive-date=16 April 2013 |title=Noose tightens around Hafiz Saeed, LT and Jamaatud Daawa |publisher=Dailytimes.com.pk |date=12 December 2008 |access-date=19 March 2010}}</ref><ref name="hind">{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/2008/12/09/stories/2008120955670800.htm|title=Pakistan and the Lashkar's jihad in India|last=Swami|first=Praveen|date=9 December 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081212111914/http://www.hindu.com/2008/12/09/stories/2008120955670800.htm|archive-date=12 December 2008|url-status=dead|location=Chennai, India|work=[[The Hindu]]|author-link=Praveen Swami}}</ref> family belonging to the [[Gurjar|Muslim Gujjar]] community.<ref>

*{{Cite news |last=Haidar |first=Suhasini |date=2020-11-28 |title=The ‘professor’ who runs terrorist networks |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/hafiz-saeed-the-professor-who-runs-terrorist-networks/article33201614.ece |access-date=2025-06-30 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X |quote=Hafiz Saeed traces his origins not to the Pukhtoon areas along the Durand line or from Kashmir along the Line of Control, but to a Gujjar family.}}
*{{Cite web |date=2019-07-17 |title=The Sad Saga of Hafiz Saeed – Newsweek Pakistan |url=https://www.newsweekpakistan.com/the-sad-saga-of-hafiz-saeed/ |access-date=2025-06-30 |language=en-US}}
*{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=Justice Mirror |date=2022-04-09 |title=Who is Hafiz Saeed, the Mastermind of Mumbai Terror Attacks? |url=https://justicemirror.com/hafiz-saeed-ideology-family-background-terror-accusations-india-pakistan/ |access-date=2025-06-30 |website=Justice Mirror |language=en-US}}
*{{Cite web |last=Sentinels |first=India |title=India requests Lashkar-e-Taiba founder Hafiz Saeed’s extradition from Pakistan, Islamabad confirms but says so such treaty with New Delhi |url=https://www.indiasentinels.com/diplomacy/india-requests-lashkar-e-taiba-founder-hafiz-saeeds-extradition-from-pakistan-islamabad-confirms-but-says-so-such-treaty-with-new-delhi-6109 |access-date=2025-06-30 |website=indiasentinels.com}}</ref><ref>

*{{Cite book |last=Yasmeen |first=Samina |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Y5RODwAAQBAJ&pg=PA45&dq=Hafiz+saeed+belong+to+Gujjar&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&source=gb_mobile_search&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiGlZWGhJqOAxUtzDgGHShTFPAQ6wF6BAgFEAU#v=onepage&q&f=false |title=Jihad and Dawah: Evolving Narratives of Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jamat ud Dawah |date=2017-10-01 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-1-84904-974-0 |pages=45 |language=en |quote=This active participation in Afghan jihad occurred in tandem with the pros-elytisation of ahle hadith ideas by two renowned ahle hadith scholars in Lahore: Hafiz Saeed and Zafar Iqbal. Born in 1950 in Sargodha, Hafiz Saeed belonged to a Gujjar family (from a pastoral agricultural ethnic group) which migrated from Haryana during Partition.}}
*{{Cite book |last=Rao |first=Aparna |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Jc8gvJ7maJIC&pg=PA139&dq=Hafiz+saeed+belong+to+Gujjar&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&source=gb_mobile_search&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiGlZWGhJqOAxUtzDgGHShTFPAQ6wF6BAgHEAU#v=onepage&q=Hafiz%20saeed%20belong%20to%20Gujjar&f=false |title=The Practice of War: Production, Reproduction and Communication of Armed Violence |last2=Bollig |first2=Michael |last3=Böck |first3=Monika |date=2008-03-01 |publisher=Berghahn Books |isbn=978-0-85745-059-3 |pages=139 |language=en}}
*{{Cite book |last=Raman |first=B. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=c4ngs_Qbq9cC&pg=PA58&dq=Hafiz+saeed+belong+to+Gujjar&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&source=gb_mobile_search&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiGlZWGhJqOAxUtzDgGHShTFPAQ6wF6BAgKEAU#v=onepage&q&f=false |title=A Terrorist State as a Frontline Ally |date=2002 |publisher=Lancer Publishers |isbn=978-81-7062-223-9 |pages=58 |language=en |quote=There was resentment in the collective leadership about Hafiz Saeed's tendency to give important posts to his Gujjar biradari.}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Aggarwal |first=Neil Krishan |title=Militant Leadership: Person-Centered Studies from Kashmir |date=2023 |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |isbn=978-0-19-764041-8 |series=Oxford scholarship online Psychology |location=New York, NY |pages=87–88}}</ref> As told by him, his father, [[Maulana]] Kamal-ud-Din, a religious scholar, landlord and farmer, along with his family started migrating from [[Ambala]] and [[Hisar (city)|Hisar]], [[East Punjab]] (now in [[Haryana]]) and reached Pakistan in around four months in the autumn of 1947.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/my-story-by-hafiz-saeed/933846/0|title=My Story|last=Saeed|first=Hafiz|date=8 April 2012|website=The Indian Express|publisher=The Indian Express [P] Ltd.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180716025011/http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/my-story-by-hafiz-saeed/933846/0|archive-date=16 July 2018|url-status=live|access-date=15 July 2018}}</ref> 

He was named ''[[Hafiz (Quran)|hafiz]]'' because he memorized the [[Qur'an]] during his childhood, his mother having impulsed him to do so when he was nine, a time during which he was already enthusiastic about the verses on jihad and also took interest in sports such as [[association football|football]] and [[Kabaddi|kabbadi]].<ref name=":0" /> He then attended the Government College Sargodha (now [[University of Sargodha]]) before getting a [[Master's]] in Islamic Studies at the [[King Saud University]] in [[Riyadh]].<ref>[[Tariq Rahman]], ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=CQh2DwAAQBAJ&pg=PA215 Interpretations of Jihad in South Asia: an Intellectual History]'', De Grutyer (2018), p. 215</ref>

A major early influence on his life and ideology was his maternal uncle, and later father-in-law, Hafiz Abdullah Bahawalpuri,<ref>[https://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi-news/professor-of-hate-why-hafeez-saeed-is-mad-at-india/story-2G7O2ODZeiVpr4uUyMQu5K.html "Professor of Hate: why Hafeez Saeed is mad at India"] (4 April 2012), ''Hindustan Times''. Retrieved 2 March 2019.</ref> who was a famed theologian belonging to the [[Salafi]] [[Ahl-i Hadith]], who held that democracy was incompatible with Islam (which alienated him with [[Abul A'la Maududi|Maulana Maududi]]'s [[Jamaat-e-Islami]]) and argued, on the importance of [[jihad]], "that only in jihad does one offer one's life in the way of Allah, which elevates it to a higher plane than merely fulfilling other religious responsibilities such as saying prayers and paying [[zakat]], also entailing sacrifices and adjustments, but not at the scale evident in jihad" and "considered shahadat (martyrdom) to be the
crux of jihad."<ref>Samina Yasmeen, ''Jihad and Dawah: Evolving Narratives of Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jamat ud Dawah'', Oxford University Press (2017), pp. 52–54</ref> Bahawalpuri's only son, [[Abdul Rehman Makki]], is Saeed's brother-in-law and has been described as "his close partner."<ref>Amir Mir, ''The true face of jehadis'', Mashal Books (2004), p. 108</ref>

General [[Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq]] appointed Saeed to the Council on Islamic Ideology, and he later served as an Islamic Studies teacher at the [[University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore|University of Engineering and Technology]], Pakistan.<ref name=hind /> He was sent to [[Saudi Arabia]] in the early 1980s by the university for higher studies where he met Saudi sheikhs who were taking part in the [[Soviet–Afghan War]]. They inspired him in taking an active role supporting the [[Mujahideen#Afghanistan|mujahideen in Afghanistan]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/Who-is-Hafiz-Saeed/articleshow/12529918.cms |title=Who is Hafiz Saeed? |publisher=Times of India |date=4 April 2012 |access-date=7 July 2016}}</ref> During his studies at the [[King Saud University]], where he was gold medalist for his academic performances as well as taught there, he came under the influence of [[Salafi]] scholars like [[al-Uthaymin]] and [[Abd al-Aziz ibn Baz|Ibn Baz]].<ref>Samina Yasmeen, "Narratives of Jihad and Islamic Identity: JUD/LeT and the Gulf Connection(s)" in [[Christophe Jaffrelot]] & Laurence Louer (ed.), ''Pan-Islamic Connections: Transnational Networks Between South Asia and the Gulf'', Oxford University Press (2018), p. 76</ref>

Saeed held two master's degrees from the [[University of Punjab]] and a specialisation in Islamic Studies and Arabic Language from [[King Saud University]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Professor Hafiz Muhammad Saeed|publisher=PakistaniLeaders.com|year=2007|url=http://www.pakistanleaders.com/profilesdetail.php?id=719&url=Profile%20of%20Hafiz%20Muhammad%20Saeed.html|access-date=3 November 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140701203417/http://www.pakistanleaders.com/profilesdetail.php?id=719&url=Profile%20of%20Hafiz%20Muhammad%20Saeed.html|archive-date=1 July 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

== Personal life ==

=== Family ===
Saeed's father ran a grocery store before receiving farmland from the government while his mother opened a ''[[madrasa]]''.<ref name=":0" /> Three of his brothers, Hafiz Hamid, Hafiz Mastodon and Hafiz Hannan, are involved in Islamic activism as well, having previously run Islamic centres in [[Boston]] in the United States.<ref name="thehindu20201128">{{Cite news |last=Haidar |first=Suhasini |date=28 November 2020 |title=Hafiz Saeed {{!}} The 'professor' who runs terrorist networks |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/hafiz-saeed-the-professor-who-runs-terrorist-networks/article33201614.ece/ |access-date=22 March 2021 |website=The Hindu |quote=Hafiz Saeed traces his origins not to the Pukhtoon areas along the Durand line or from Kashmir along the Line of Control, but to a Gujjar family.}}</ref>

Saeed's son Hafiz Talha Saeed serves as the Lashkar-e-Taiba second-in-command. He controls the finances of Lashkar. In 2019, Talha escaped an assassination attempt when a bomb inside a refrigerator shop exploded in Lahore.<ref name="Talha News18">{{cite news |title=Hafiz Saeed's Son Talha Injured in Assassination Attempt; Lashkar Suspects India's RAW Behind Attack |url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/hafiz-saeeds-son-talha-injured-in-assassination-attempt-lashkar-suspects-indias-raw-behind-attack-2418825.html |access-date=11 December 2019 |work=News18}}</ref> For the [[2018 Pakistani general election]], Saeed fielded his son, Hafiz Talha, and son-in-law, Khalid Waleed, as candidates but due to the [[Election Commission of Pakistan]]'s denial of registration to the [[Milli Muslim League]] (MML), the political wing of JuD, the candidates contested under the banner of the Allah-o-Akbar Tehreek (AAT), a lesser-known platform.<ref>"[https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/world-news/hafiz-saeeds-son-son-in-law-to-contest-pakistan-polls/articleshow/64843074.cms Hafiz Saeed's Son, Son-in-Law to Contest Pakistan Polls]." ''[[The Economic Times]]'', 3 July 2018. Accessed 9 May 2025.</ref>

== Militancy career ==

=== 1987 ===
In 1987, Saeed, along with [[Abdullah Azzam]], Prof.Zafar Iqbal Sardar founded Markaz Dawa-Wal-Irshad, a group with roots in the [[Jamiat Ahle Hadith|Jamiat Ahl-e-Hadis]].<ref name="frontlinev19" /><ref name="hind" /> This organisation spawned the jihadist group [[Lashkar-e-Taiba]] in 1987.<ref name="hind" /> Lashkar's primary target is the Indian-administered territory of [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Rahman |first1=Maseeh |last2=Jones |first2=Sam |date=1 December 2008 |title=Rumours abound as inquiry begins its search for truth |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/dec/01/mumbai-terror-attacks-india-pakistan1 |access-date=1 December 2008 |work=The Guardian |location=London}}</ref>

=== 1994 ===
In 1994, Saeed visited the United States and "spoke at Islamic centres in Houston, Chicago and Boston".<ref name="Price Feb 7, 2013">{{cite news |last=Walsh |first=Declan |title=Pakistani Militant, Price on Head, Lives in Open |newspaper=The New York Times |date=7 February 2013 |page=A1}}</ref>

=== 2001–2002 ===
Pakistan took Saeed into custody on 21 December 2001 due to an Indian government assertion that he was involved in [[2001 Indian Parliament attack|the 13 December 2001 attack on the Indian Parliament]]. He was held until 31 March 2002, released, then taken back into custody on 15 May. He was placed under house arrest on 31 October 2002 after his wife Maimoona Saeed sued the province of Punjab and the Pakistan federal government for what she claimed was an illegal detention.<ref name=dailytimes2002>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_12-11-2002_pg7_17|title=Hafiz Saeed case – LHC seeks reply from Punjab, Centre|date=12 November 2002|website=Dailytimes.com.pk|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090630214153/http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_12-11-2002_pg7_17|archive-date=30 June 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== 2006 ===
After the 11 July [[2006 Mumbai train bombings]], the provincial government of [[Punjab, Pakistan|Punjab]], Pakistan arrested him on 9 August 2006 and kept him under house arrest but he was released on 28 August 2006 after a [[Lahore High Court]] order. He was arrested again on the same day by the provincial government and was kept in the Canal Rest House in [[Sheikhupura]]. He was finally released after the Lahore High Court order on 17 October 2006.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.dawn.com/2006/10/18/top5.htm |publisher=Dawn |title=LHC orders release of Hafiz Saeed |date=18 October 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101027014139/http://www.dawn.com/2006/10/18/top5.htm |archive-date=27 October 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.hindu.com/2006/10/18/stories/2006101806221800.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061202121548/http://www.hindu.com/2006/10/18/stories/2006101806221800.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=2 December 2006 |last=Subramanian |first=Nirupama |title=Court orders Hafiz Saeed's release |date=18 October 2006 |work=[[The Hindu]] |location=Chennai, India}}</ref>

=== 2008–2009 ===
After the [[2008 Mumbai attacks]], India submitted a formal request to the [[U.N. Security Council]] to put the group Jamaat-ud-Dawa and Saeed on the list of individuals and organisations sanctioned by the United Nations for association with terrorism.<ref name="Price Feb 7, 2013" /> India has accused the organisation and its leader, Saeed, of being virtually interchangeable with Lashkar-e-Taiba. India said that the close links between the organisations, as well as the 2,500 offices and 11 seminaries that Jamaat-ud-Dawa maintains in Pakistan, "are of immediate concern with regard to their efforts to mobilise and orchestrate terrorist activities."<ref name="NYTLashkarSanction">McFarquhar, Neil. [https://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/10/world/10nations.html India wants Pakistani group added to UN's terrorism list], ''The New York Times'', 9 December 2008.</ref> On 10 December 2008, Saeed denied a link between LeT and JuD in an interview with Pakistan's [[Geo TV|Geo television]] stating that "no Lashkar-e-Taiba man is in Jamaat-ud-Dawa and I have never been a chief of Lashkar-e-Taiba."<ref name="fox2008">{{cite news|url=https://www.foxnews.com/story/third-mumbai-terrorist-suspect-placed-under-house-arrest-charity-a-front-group-for-terrorist-organization|title=Third Mumbai Terrorist Suspect Placed Under House Arrest; Charity a Front Group For Terrorist Organization|date=10 December 2008|work=Fox News|access-date=11 December 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305163229/http://www.foxnews.com/story/2008/12/10/third-mumbai-terrorist-suspect-placed-under-house-arrest-charity-front-group.html|archive-date=5 March 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 11 December 2008, Hafiz Muhammed Saeed was again placed under house arrest when the United Nations declared Jamaat-ud-Dawa to be an LeT front.<ref name=khan20090602>{{cite news |last=Khan |first=M Ilyas |title=Profile: Hafiz Mohammad Saeed |place=Islamabad |work=BBC News |date=2 June 2009 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/6067694.stm |access-date=3 June 2009}}</ref> Saeed was held in house arrest under the Maintenance of Public Order law, which allows authorities to detain temporarily individuals deemed likely to create disorder,<ref name=khan20090602 /> until early June 2009 when the Lahore High Court, deeming the containment to be unconstitutional, ordered Saeed to be released.<ref name=bbc20090602 /> India quickly expressed its disappointment with the decision.<ref name=bbc20090602>{{cite news |title=Pakistan releases 'top militant' |work=BBC News |date=2 June 2009 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8078356.stm |access-date=2 June 2009}}</ref>

On 6 July 2009, the Pakistani government filed an appeal of the court's decision. Deputy Attorney General Shah Khawar told the [[Associated Press]] that "Hafiz Saeed at liberty is a security threat."<ref>{{cite news |last=Shazad |first=Asif |title=Pakistan appeals ruling to release Mumbai suspect |agency=Associated Press |date=6 July 2009 |url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hkiMxbHNH0BqgpWA2ZG6VD6wVTmAD998VFB01 |access-date=7 July 2009}}{{dead link|date=June 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

On 25 August 2009, [[Interpol]] issued a [[Interpol notice|red notice]] against Saeed, along with [[Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi]], in response to Indian requests for his [[extradition]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Gangadharan |first=Surya |title=Interpol notice against Saeed adds to Pak worries |publisher=IBN |date=27 August 2009 |url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/interpol-notice-against-saeed-adds-to-pak-worries/100041-3.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090830091910/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/interpol-notice-against-saeed-adds-to-pak-worries/100041-3.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=30 August 2009 |access-date=30 August 2009}}</ref>

Saeed was again placed under house arrest by the Pakistani authorities in September 2009.<ref>{{cite news |title=Pakistan curbs on Mumbai accused |work=BBC News |date=21 September 2009 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/8266088.stm |access-date=21 September 2009}}</ref>

On 12 October 2009, the Lahore High Court quashed all cases against Saeed and set him free. The court also notified that Jama'at-ud-Da'wah is not a banned organisation and can work freely in Pakistan. Justice Asif Saeed Khosa, one of two judges hearing the case, observed "In the name of terrorism we cannot brutalise the law."<ref>{{cite web |last=Nadeem |first=Atif |title=LHC orders quashing of FIRs against Hafiz Saeed |publisher=The News |date=13 October 2009 |url=http://thenews.jang.com.pk/top_story_detail.asp?Id=24984 |access-date=19 October 2009 }}{{dead link|date=September 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

=== Indian attempts at extradition ===
On 11 May 2011, in an effort to place pressure on Pakistan, India publicly revealed a list of its 50 most [[India–Pakistan relations#Fugitives|wanted fugitives]] hiding in Pakistan.<ref>{{cite news |title=ISI's major Iqbal, LeT chief Saeed in India's most-wanted list |date=12 May 2011 |url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics/nation/isis-major-iqbal-let-chief-saeed-in-indias-most-wanted-list/articleshow/8257210.cms |work=The Economic Times |access-date=12 May 2011}}</ref> India believes Saeed is a fugitive, but the Indian arrest warrant had no influence in Pakistan and presently has no effect on Saeed's movements within Pakistan. Following the Lahore High Court ruling, Saeed has been moving freely around the country. For many years, India has demanded that Saeed be handed over but there is no extradition treaty between the two countries.<ref name="thehindu.com">{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/pakistan-relents-on-extradition-treaty/article3466565.ece|title=Pakistan relents on extradition treaty|last=Joshi|first=Sandeep|date=29 May 2012|work=The Hindu|access-date=18 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029212215/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/pakistan-relents-on-extradition-treaty/article3466565.ece|archive-date=29 October 2013|url-status=live|location=Chennai, India}}</ref> On 29 December 2023, India formally requested extradition of Hafiz Saeed for his involvement in 2008 Mumbai Attacks [https://www.reuters.com/world/india/india-has-asked-pakistan-extradite-mumbai-suspect-hafeez-saeed-foreign-ministry-2023-12-29/] <ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-29 |title=India Asks Pakistan to Extradite Suspected Terror Mastermind |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/india-asks-pakistan-to-extradite-suspected-terror-mastermind/7417929.html |access-date=2024-01-06 |website=Voice of America |language=en}}</ref>


=== Cooperation with Islamabad ===
Lashkar has been keeping focus on India and Saeed is among those who are thought to have helped Pakistan in capturing important [[al-Qaeda]] members like [[Abu Zubaydah]]. Senior Pakistani officials have said that Saeed is helping in de-radicalisation and rehabilitation of former extremists and that security is being provided to him because he could be targeted by militants who disapprove of Saeed's co-operation with Islamabad.<ref name="Deradicalization role">{{cite news |last=Georgy |first=Michael |title=Exclusive: Pakistani with U.S. bounty said helping de-radicalize militants |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-pakistan-usa-bounty-idUSBRE8350BA20120406 |access-date=4 November 2012 |newspaper=Reuters |date=6 April 2012}}</ref>

=== American bounty ===
In April 2012, the [[United States]] announced a bounty of US$10&nbsp;million on Saeed, for his role in the [[2008 Mumbai attacks]].<ref name="ndtv" /> Saeed stated that he had nothing to do with the Mumbai attacks<ref name="Price Feb 7, 2013" /> and condemned them. When asked about the bounty, Saeed replied, "I am living my life in the open and the U.S. can contact me whenever they want."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thenews.com.pk/article-42810-Hafiz-Saeed-responds-to-US-bounty- |title=Hafiz Saeed responds to US bounty |date=3 April 2012 |work=The News International, Pakistan |access-date=16 March 2015}}</ref> He subsequently stated that he was ready to face "any American court" to answer the charges and added that if [[Washington, D.C.|Washington]] wanted to contact him, they knew where he was. "This is a laughable, absurd announcement. Here I am in front of everyone, not hiding in a cave", he said in a press conference.<ref name="saeed_abc_au">{{cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-04-05/pakistan-militant-taunts-us-over-2410m-bounty/3933914 |title=Pakistan militant taunts US over $10m bounty |work=ABC News |date=5 April 2012 |access-date=16 March 2015}}</ref> Saeed identified his leading role in the [[Difa-e-Pakistan Council]] and US attempts to placate India as reasons behind the bounty.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia/2012/04/201243111015364712.html |title=Hafiz Saeed rejects US terrorism accusations |access-date=16 March 2015}}</ref><ref name="cnn">{{cite news |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2012/04/05/world/asia/pakistan-us-bounty/ |title=Pakistan wants to see 'concrete evidence' on suspect sought by U.S. |work=CNN |date=5 April 2012 |access-date=5 April 2012 |author=Habib, Nasir}}</ref>

==Declaration as a terrorist==

The United States declared two Lashkar-e-Tayyiba leaders—Nazir Ahmad Chaudhry and Muhammad Hussein Gill—specially designated global terrorists. The State Department also maintained LeT's designation as a [[United States State Department list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations|Foreign Terrorist Organisation]] and added the following aliases to its listing of LeT: Jama’at-ud-Dawa, Al-Anfal Trust, Tehrik-i-Hurmat-i-Rasool, and Tehrik-i-Tahafuz Qibla Awwal. The Department of Treasury said that LeT was responsible for the November 2008 attack in Mumbai which killed nearly 200 people. The group's leader is Saeed, who is listed under UN Security Council Resolution 1267.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dawn.com/news/1115186/us-puts-two-let-leaders-on-global-terrorists-list |title=US puts two LeT leaders on global terrorists list |author=Anwar Iqbal |date=26 June 2014 |access-date=16 March 2015}}</ref><ref>[https://dbpost.com/26-11-mastermind-hafiz-saeeds-terror-group-jamaat-ud-dawa-banned-in-pakistan/ "26/11 Mastermind Hafiz Saeed's Terror Group Jamaat-ud-Dawa banned in Pakistan"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190222152213/https://dbpost.com/26-11-mastermind-hafiz-saeeds-terror-group-jamaat-ud-dawa-banned-in-pakistan/ |date=22 February 2019 }}, 'DBPOST. 22 February 2019.</ref>

He is also listed on India's [[NIA Most Wanted]].<ref>{{cite web |title=National Investigation Agency Most Wanted |url=http://www.nia.gov.in/most-wanted.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160126234617/http://www.nia.gov.in/most-wanted.htm |archive-date=26 January 2016 |access-date=16 July 2018 |work=Government of India}}</ref><ref name="frontlinev19">{{Cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780066210636 |title=India's most wanted |publisher=Frontline |year=2002 |isbn=0-06-621063-1 |volume=19 |access-date=10 April 2012 |url-access=registration |issue=2}}</ref>

In April 2012, the United States placed a [[Bounty (reward)|bounty]] of US$10&nbsp;million<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/us-puts-10-million-bounty-on-pakistan-terror-groups-leader/2012/04/03/gIQAx9NjsS_story.html|title=U.S. puts $10 million bounty on Pakistan terror group's leader|newspaper=The Washington Post}}</ref> on Saeed for his role in the [[2008 Mumbai attacks]] that killed 166 civilians. While India officially supported the American move, there were protests against it in Pakistan.<ref name="ndtv">{{cite web|url=http://www.ndtv.com/video/player/news/india-welcomes-10-million-bounty-on-hafiz-saeed/228229|title=India welcomes $10&nbsp;million bounty on Hafiz Saeed|date=3 April 2012|website=NDTV|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170801202118/https://www.ndtv.com/video/news/news/india-welcomes-10-million-bounty-on-hafiz-saeed-228229|archive-date=1 August 2017|url-status=live|access-date=16 July 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cnbcpakistan.com/Thousands-protest-against-US-bounty-on-Hafiz-Saeed-news-2027.html|title=Thousands protest against US bounty on Hafiz Saeed|date=2 January 2015|website=JAAG TV|publisher=CNBC Pakistan|archive-url=https://archive.today/20150102080111/http://www.cnbcpakistan.com/Thousands-protest-against-US-bounty-on-Hafiz-Saeed-news-2027.html|archive-date=2 January 2015|url-status=usurped|access-date=2 January 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/world/pakistan/story/india-will-leave-kashmir-just-as-us-leaving-afghanistan-hafiz-saeed-176578-2014-01-13|title=India will be forced to Kashmir just like US in Afghanistan: Hafiz Saeed|date=13 January 2014|work=India Today|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180716061653/https://www.indiatoday.in/world/pakistan/story/india-will-leave-kashmir-just-as-us-leaving-afghanistan-hafiz-saeed-176578-2014-01-13|archive-date=16 July 2018|url-status=live|access-date=16 July 2018}}</ref>

After the 2008 Mumbai attacks, he was designated by the [[Al-Qaida and Taliban Sanctions Committee]] of the [[Security Council]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=AQ Sanctions List |url=https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/sanctions/1267/aq_sanctions_list |website=[[un.org]]}}</ref> He is also listed on the [[United States Department of the Treasury]]'s [[Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List]] as a [[Specially Designated Global Terrorist]].<ref>{{cite web |title=SAEED, Muhammad |url=https://sanctionssearch.ofac.treas.gov/Details.aspx?id=10689 |website=sanctionssearch.ofac.treas.gov}}</ref>

==Arrest and trial ==
On 3 July 2019, 23 cases related to terror financing and money laundering under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), 1997 were registered by [[Counter Terrorism Department]] (CTD) of Pakistan.<ref name="Dawn Indicts" /> According to CTD, JuD was financing terrorism from the funds collected by several non-profit organisations and trusts that included Al-Anfaal Trust, Dawatul Irshad Trust, Muaz Bin Jabal Trust, etc.<ref name="Dawn Indicts" /> CTD had banned these non-profit organisations in April 2019. On further investigations,  CTD had found that these organisations were linked with JuD and were in touch with the top leadership of JuD.<ref name="Dawn Indicts" />

On 17 July 2019, Saeed was arrested in [[Gujranwala]] by the Punjab CTD on the charges of terror financing. He was subsequently sent to the prison on judicial [[remand (detention)|remand]] by a Gujranwala Anti Terrorism Court (ATC).<ref name="Dawn Indicts" >{{cite news |last1=Bilal |first1=Rana |title=ATC indicts JuD chief Hafiz Saeed in terror financing case |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1521667/atc-indicts-jud-chief-hafiz-saeed-in-terror-financing-case |access-date=11 December 2019 |work=DAWN.COM |date=11 December 2019 |language=en}}</ref> On 27 September 2019, during the [[United Nations General Assembly]], USA asked Pakistan to prosecute Saeed, [[Masood Azhar]] and other UN-designated terrorists.<ref name="Today USA UN">{{cite news |title=Act against terror groups if you want peace with India, US tells Pakistan ahead of Imran Khan's UNGA speech |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/world/story/us-asks-pakistan-to-prosecute-terrorists-like-hafiz-saeed-and-masood-azhar-1603966-2019-09-27 |access-date=11 December 2019 |work=India Today |agency=Press Trust of India |date=27 September 2019 |language=en}}</ref> On 30 November 2019, the Government of Pakistan stated that they will prosecute Saeed.<ref name="outlookindia Chronology">{{cite news |title=Chronology of indictment of JuD chief Hafiz Saeed |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/chronology-of-indictment-of-jud-chief-hafiz-saeed/1682893 |access-date=11 December 2019 |work=outlookindia.com}}</ref> On 11 December 2019, he was indicted by the ATC in the charges of terror financing in several cities of Punjab province of Pakistan.<ref name="The HinduIndicts">{{cite news |title=Pak court indicts Hafiz Saeed on terror financing charges |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/pak-court-indicts-hafiz-saeed-on-terror-financing-charges/article30275565.ece |access-date=11 December 2019 |work=The Hindu |date=11 December 2019 |language=en-IN}}</ref> As of December 2019, Saeed resides in the Kot Lakhpat jail also known as [[Central Jail Lahore]].<ref name="The HinduIndicts" /> He was convicted for five years by a Pakistan court for financing terrorism, in February 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.news18.com/news/world/mumbai-attack-mastermind-hafiz-saeed-convicted-for-5-years-in-terror-financing-cases-2498615.html|title=2 Days before FATF Hearing on Pak Blacklisting, Hafiz Saeed Sentenced for 5 Years in Terror Financing Cases|date=12 February 2020|website=News18|access-date=12 February 2020}}</ref> On 19 November 2020 a Pakistani court sentenced him for 5 years in prison on terrorism-financing charges making the conviction for a total of 10 years meanwhile an anti-terrorism court in the city of Lahore on fined Saeed 110,000 rupees (about $700).<ref>{{cite news |url=https://gandhara.rferl.org/a/pakistani-militant-leader-convicted-of-terror-financing-charges/30959202.html |title= Pakistani Militant Leader Convicted Of Terror-Financing Charges |newspaper= Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |date= 19 November 2020 |access-date=19 November 2020}}</ref> On 24 December he was sentenced to 15 and a half years in jail by an anti-terrorism court in Pakistan in one more terror financing case along with Rs20,000 (about $125) fine.<ref>{{Cite news|date=25 December 2020|title=Pakistan's Anti-Terror Court Sentences JuD Terror Group Chief Hafiz Saeed To 15 Years In Jail In One More Case|work=[[The Indian Hawk]]|url=https://www.theindianhawk.com/2020/12/pakistans-anti-terror-court-sentences-jud-terror-group-chief-hafiz-saeed-to-15-years-in-jail-in-one-more-case.html|access-date=25 December 2020|archive-date=26 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201226084623/https://www.theindianhawk.com/2020/12/pakistans-anti-terror-court-sentences-jud-terror-group-chief-hafiz-saeed-to-15-years-in-jail-in-one-more-case.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Hafiz Saeed awarded 15-year jail in terror-financing case |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/764125-hafiz-saeed-awarded-15-year-jail-in-terror-financing-case |website=www.thenews.com.pk |access-date=11 January 2021 |language=en}}</ref>

While out from prison, Saeed's residence in Lahore was [[2021 Lahore bombing|targeted by a bomb blast]] on 23 June 2021, resulting in the death of three people and the wounding of 22 more.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/6/23/pakistan-blast-hafiz-saeed-lahore-residence|title=Deadly blast in Pakistan near residence of armed group founder|work=Al Jazeera|date=23 June 2021}}</ref> Three people were arrested for the attack. Pakistan's national security adviser [[Moeed Yusuf]] said that while the three arrested were Pakistani citizens who planted the bomb, it was suspected that "India was behind the attack".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/7/5/pakistan-nsa-india-raw-lahore-attack|title=Pakistan NSA accuses India of orchestrating Lahore bomb attack|work=Al Jazeera|date=5 July 2021}}</ref>

== Political and social views ==

=== Pakistani government ===
Saeed has criticised Pakistani leaders and has stated that they should aspire to be more like British Prime Minister [[David Cameron]] and London Mayor [[Boris Johnson]]. He had declared his admiration for the British [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative Party]] along with several Tory MPs when he lodged a petition to the Lahore High Court calling for public officials in Pakistan to tone down their privileged lifestyles. According to ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'', Saeed wrote in the petition that while Pakistan's political elite were 'living like kings and princes in palatial government houses,' Britain's prime minister lived in a 'four-bedroom flat.' He added, 'When the sun never set on the [[British Empire]], the chief executive of that great country lived in the same house of a few [[Marla (unit)|marlas]] in a small street. That is truly Islamic, that is like following the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet.'<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/hafiz-saeed-wants-pak-leaders-to-learn-from-david-camerons-islamic-lifestyle-492677 |work=[[NDTV]] |title=Hafiz Saeed wants Pak leaders to learn from David Cameron's 'Islamic' lifestyle}}</ref>

Speaking on the issue of arrest of separatist Kashmiri leader [[Masarat Alam]] by the [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]] government, Saeed said, "Jihad is the duty of an Islamic government... there is a government in Pakistan and it has always taken the stand that it is the right of Kashmiris to attain freedom. I say what our Army will do to secure the right of the Kashmiris is jihad... We extend help to Kashmiris alongside government ... we call this jihad."<ref>{{cite news |title=Saeed: Jihad in concert with Pak. Army |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/hafiz-saeed-jihad-in-concert-with-pak-army/article7117376.ece |access-date=21 April 2015 |work=The Hindu |date=19 April 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Hafiz Saeed: We support Pakistan army's 'jihad' in Kashmir |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/Hafiz-Saeed-We-support-Pakistan-armys-jihad-in-Kashmir/articleshow/46968876.cms |access-date=21 April 2015 |work=The Times of India |date=18 April 2015}}</ref>

Criticising his anti-India comments, Indian Muslim leader [[Asaduddin Owaisi]] said, "People like Hafiz Saeed are unaware about teachings of Islam, jihad in Islam. They are killing innocent lives in Pakistan, children are being killed. They are using Pakistan for maligning another country. The Government of India should take strict action against it and I condemn his comments in clear and strong words."<ref>{{cite news |title=Hafiz Saeed unaware about teachings of Islam: Asaduddin Owaisi |url=http://zeenews.india.com/news/india/hafiz-saeed-unaware-about-teachings-of-islam-asaduddin-owaisi_1582092.html |access-date=21 April 2015 |publisher=Zee News |date=21 April 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Hafiz Saeed unaware about 'jihad' in Islam: Asaduddin Owaisi |url=http://www.indiatvnews.com/politics/national/hafiz-saeed-unaware-about-jihad-in-islam-28545.html |access-date=21 April 2015 |publisher=India TV News |date=21 April 2015}}</ref> However in response to India's formal request to extradite Hafiz Saeed in December 2023, Pakistan denied by "citing no bilateral extradition treaty" with India.<ref>{{Cite web |title='No bilateral extradition treaty': Pak on India's request to extradite Hafiz Saeed |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/pakistan-confirms-indias-request-hafiz-saeed-extradition-2482154-2023-12-30 |access-date=2024-01-06 |website=India Today |date=30 December 2023 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Syed |first=Baqir Sajjad |date=2023-12-30 |title=Islamabad turns down Indian call to hand over Hafiz Saeed |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1801793 |access-date=2024-01-06 |website=DAWN.COM |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title='No bilateral extradition treaty exists': Pakistan on India's request to extradite Hafiz Saeed |url=https://www.theweek.in/news/india/2023/12/30/no-bilateral-extradition-treaty-exists-pakistan-on-indias-request-to-extradite-hafiz-saeed.html |access-date=2024-01-06 |website=The Week |language=en}}</ref>

=== Indian government ===
In January 2013, India's then Union Home Minister [[Sushilkumar Shinde|Sushil Kumar Shinde]] released a statement on the alleged existence of [[Saffron terror|Hindu terrorism]] as well as the existence of Hindu terror camps on Indian soil, being run and organised by the [[Bharatiya Janata Party|BJP]] and the [[Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh|RSS]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/bjp-to-hold-nationwide-protest-against-shindes-hindu-terror-camps-remark/317312-3-244.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130126113248/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/bjp-to-hold-nationwide-protest-against-shindes-hindu-terror-camps-remark/317312-3-244.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=26 January 2013 |title=BJP to hold nationwide protest against Shinde's Hindu terror camps remark |work=IBNLive |access-date=16 March 2015}}</ref> As a result, [[Lashkar-e-Taiba]] and [[Jamaat-ud-Dawa]] welcomed Shinde's statements and congratulated him for admitting the existence of Hindu terrorism.<ref name="LeT and JuD Congratulates Shinde for His Claims on Hindu Terror">{{cite news |title=LeT, JuD have congratulated Sushilkumar Shinde for his claims on Hindu terror: RSS |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_let-jud-have-congratulated-sushilkumar-shinde-for-his-claims-on-hindu-terror-rss_1791019 |access-date=10 February 2013 |newspaper=DNA |date=21 January 2013}}</ref> Saeed demanded that the United States take serious notice of this statement by the Indian home minister regarding Hindu terrorist camps in India. "The US should now carry out drone attacks on these terror camps in India," Saeed said.

In September 2014, Saeed accused India of "[[water terrorism]]".<ref name="timesofindia.indiatimes.com">{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/hafiz-saeed-blames-india-for-pakistan-floods-calls-it-water-terrorism/articleshow/42116443.cms|title=Hafiz Saeed blames India for Pakistan floods, calls it 'water terrorism' &#124; India News - Times of India|website=The Times of India|date=9 September 2014 }}</ref> Though there was [[2014 India–Pakistan floods|flood crisis in India]] too, Saeed blamed India for flood crisis in Pakistan.<ref name="dnaindia.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/world/report-hafiz-saeed-blames-india-for-flood-in-pakistan-accuses-narendra-modi-government-of-water-terrorism-2017381 |title=Hafiz Saeed blames India for flood in Pakistan; accuses Narendra Modi government of 'water terrorism' – Latest News & Updates at Daily News & Analysis |date=9 September 2014 }}</ref> In several tweets on social media he said, "Indian gov discharged water in rivers without notification & has given false information; an act of open mischief," "India has used water to attack Pakistan, We are in state of War. India's water aggression must be taken to the UN security council."<ref name="timesofindia.indiatimes.com" /><ref name="dnaindia.com" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/world/pakistan/story/hafiz-saeed-jamat-ud-dawah-india-jammu-and-kashmir-floods-208086-2014-09-10|title=India behind Pakistan floods, tweets Hafiz Saeed|date=10 September 2014|website=India Today}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.abplive.in/World/2014/09/09/article395679.ece/Hafiz-Saeed-blames-water-terrorism-by-India-for-Kashmir-floods |title=Hafiz Saeed blames 'water terrorism' by India for Kashmir floods |date=9 September 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.firstpost.com/india/jud-chief-hafiz-saeed-says-india-flooded-pakistan-alleges-water-terrorism-1706265.html |title=JuD chief Hafiz Saeed says India flooded Pakistan, alleges 'water terrorism' – Firstpost |date=10 September 2014 }}</ref>

Responding to a question about the nuclear warning issued by Indian authorities in [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]] after the [[2013 India–Pakistan border skirmishes|2013 India–Pakistan border incidents]], Saeed said that in case of a nuclear war between India and Pakistan, India should distribute nuclear safety pamphlets in Delhi, Mumbai and Calcutta rather than in Kashmir.<ref name="tribune.com.pk">{{cite web |url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/499270/friendly-advice-hafiz-saeed-advises-shahrukh-khan-to-move-to-pakistan/ |title='Friendly advice': Hafiz Saeed 'advises' Shahrukh Khan to move to Pakistan |work=The Express Tribune |date=27 January 2013 |access-date=16 March 2015}}</ref>

=== Urdu as the national language of Pakistan ===
{{See also|Punjabi Language Movement}}
Saeed has questioned Pakistan's decision to adopt [[Urdu]] (only 9.25% of Pakistanis speak Urdu as a first language according to [[2023 Pakistani Census]]) as its national language in a country where the majority (36.98% according to 2023 census) of people speak the [[Punjabi language]]. He advocated that Punjabi should be made the national language.<ref name="http://www.hindustantimes.com/ 2016">{{cite news |title=Pakistan should have adopted Punjabi as national language: Hafiz Saeed |newspaper=Hindustan Times |date=6 March 2016 |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/world/pakistan-should-have-adopted-punjabi-as-national-language-hafiz-saeed/story-WLlnsWWnziuQxmbdQUdHuK.html |access-date=20 April 2016}}</ref>

== Writings ==
Saeed has published the following books and articles, among others:<ref>{{Cite book |last=Yasmeen |first=Samina |title=Jihad and Dawah: Evolving Narratives of Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jamat ud Dawah |publisher=C. Hurst & Company (Publishers) Limited |year=2017 |pages=278–279}}</ref>

=== Books ===

* ''[[Tafsir]] [[At-Tawbah|Surah Tauba]]'' (Exegesis of Surah Tauba). Lahore: Darul Andalus, 2006.
* ''Tafsir [[Yusuf (surah)|Surah Yusuf]]'' (Exegesis of Surah Yusuf), 1st edn. Lahore: Darul Andalus, 2009.

=== Articles ===

* ‘Martial Law Na Jamhooriat Ki Bahali: Sirf Qur’an Wa Sunnah (Neither Martial Law nor the Restoration of Democracy: Only the Qur’an and Sunnah)’. ''Majallah Al-Daawa'', November 1999, 16–18.
* ‘Bharat Dilail Kay Maidan Mein Bhi Shikast Kha Giya (India Has Been Defeated Even in the Battle of Arguments)’. ''Majallah Al-Daawa'', August 2001, 2–4.
* ‘Amriki Nizam-e-Jamhooriat Mein Sab Ko Azadian-Islam Kay Chah’nay Walun Par Pabandi’an-Akhir Kyon? (In the American Democratic System All Enjoy Freedom but Why Are Restrictions Imposed on the Lovers of Islam?)’. ''Majallah Al-Daawa'', February 2002, 2–3.
* ‘Paani, Bijli Aur Mahn’gai Kay Khaufnak Masa’il: Pas-e-Pardah Asal Mujrim Aur Zimmadar Kaun (Frightening Problems of Water, Energy and Inflation: Behind the Curtain Who is the Real Culprit Responsible [for these issues]?)’. ''Al-Haramain'', May 2010, 8–13.

== See also ==
* [[All Parties Hurriyat Conference]]
* [[Syed Ali Shah Geelani]]
* [[Kashmir conflict]]
* [[2014 Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly election]]
* [[Difa-e-Pakistan Council]]
* [[Phantom (2015 film)|''Phantom'']], 2015 Indian film
* [[List of fugitives from justice who disappeared]]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{commons category-inline}}
* {{IMDb name}}
* [https://rewardsforjustice.net/rewards/hafiz-saeed/ Hafiz Saeed]. [[Rewards for Justice]].
* [https://news.yahoo.com/exclusive-pakistani-u-bounty-said-helping-radicalize-militants-140725065.html "Exclusive: Pakistani with U.S. bounty said helping de-radicalize militants" – Reuters, 6 April 2012]
* [https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/chronology-of-indictment-of-jud-chief-hafiz-saeed/1682893 Chronology of indictment of JuD chief Hafiz Saeed] by [[Outlook (Indian magazine)|Outlook]]

{{Militant Islamism in South Asia}}
{{Kashmir separatist movement}}
{{2008 Mumbai attacks}}
{{PakistaniTerrorism}}
{{Fugitives wanted by India}}
{{Portal bar|Pakistan|India}}
{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Saeed, Hafiz Muhammad}}
[[Category:Hafiz Muhammad Saeed| ]]
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