Pakistan wants to kill Kashmiri 'Jihadis' for aid: Hafiz Saeed

Hafiz Muhammad Saeed, one of the most-wanted terrorists in South Asia, has lashed out at Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan-led government for seeking aid from the Trump administration and walking into what he termed as an American trap of giving aid for the killing of Kashmiri and other 'Mujahideen' in the country.

"The U.S. has ordered Pakistan to capture Afghan and Kashmiri Mujahideen with an aim to convert Pakistan into an extended territory of the U.S.", Saeed said while addressing a huge crowd at Markaz Al Qadsiya in Lahore city.

He added, "The US puts pressure on Pakistan government to close the madrasas (Islamic seminaries) and stop teaching the Holy Quran. They say those studying here are all 'jihadis'. The US gives such diktats while coming to Pakistan. They also want syllabus on religious teachings to be removed as it gives birth to 'jihadis'. The government of Pakistan agrees on such orders and informs them about banning 'jihadi' outfits in return of receiving monetary aid and support."

Saeed founded Jamaat-ud-Dawa, a front for the Lashkar-e-Taiba terror group, which waged the deadly 2008 Mumbai attacks. The organisation is on the United Nations list of global terrorist groups.

Emphasising on the need to promote religious teachings, Saeed said, "We must reform our educational syllabus and to train our professors in accordance with Islamic education based on Quran and Hadith so that they can handle the economic, political and the various problems created by the U.S.".

Saeed, who carries a USD 10 million bounty for his role in terror activities, criticised the Pakistani government for accepting suggestions to ask the US and International Monetary Fund (IMF) for aid.

He further asked Imran Khan to fulfill promises made during the election campaign of turning Pakistan into a true Islamic State.

"We have to safeguard Islam and Pakistan and should not get trapped into the US and IMF's entrap", said Saeed in his address.

Saeed strongly criticized those studying and supporting the Western education system in Pakistan.

-ANI