Accessibility links

Breaking News

Pakistani Militant Leader Held For Two More Weeks


Malik Ishaq, the leader of the banned Pakistani extremist group Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ). (file photo)
Malik Ishaq, the leader of the banned Pakistani extremist group Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ). (file photo)

The head of a banned extremist group in Pakistan who was expected to be set free from jail will be held for two more weeks in a murder case.

Malik Ishaq, the head of Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ), was expected to be freed on December 25 after the Punjab provincial government withdrew a request to extend his detention under public order laws.

Police said he has been detained and is being held in the city of Multan.

Ishaq's arrest comes as Islamabad ramps up its antiterrorism measures after an attack on a military-run school that killed 157 people, leading the government to set up military courts and drop its moratorium on capital punishment in terror cases.

A special court in Multan said Ishaq will appear before the judiciary again on January 7.

Based on reporting by AFP and Dawn

RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.

If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.

To find out more, click here.

XS
SM
MD
LG