Surprisingly, Pakistani police arrested Malik Ishaq, head of Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ) a terrorist outfit linked with Al-Qaeda, from Rahim Yar Khan on February 22, 2013 that is aimed to mollify minority Hazara community in Baluchistan. Days ago, the LeJ claimed the responsibility of the murder of more than a hundred civilians in Hazara town, Quetta city, after detonating nearly one ton explosives. It was the second largest attack just within 40 targeting the Hazara community.
Still it is not clear on what charges he was arrested. Was he arrested on account of LeJ’s terroristic attacks on Hazara community or his charges might be revealed when he would be introduced to the court. However, many believe that his arrest was largely to relieve the aggrieved community who by holding peaceful civil protest could get the global attention and mount pressure on Pakistani government. Meanwhile, it is highly questionable whether he gets due punishment.
Pakistani police arrested Malik Ishaq from his home. Ishaq has been accused of direct involvement in numerous terrorist attacks.
It is not the first time that he ends to jail. He was arrested in 1997 over variety of terroristic activities but released without punishment. He was detained in 1997 after admitting to murdering more than 100 Pakistanis, but was released by Pakistan's Supreme Court in July 2011. He could manage to dodge various convictions through murdering or intimidating witnesses. Alerting oppositions to group he said after walking out of prison, "We are ready to lay down lives for the honor of the companions of the Holy Prophet (PBUH)". It is also likely that he does not get punishment and be released even without stepping inside Supreme Court. If his Kalashnikov-wielding followers escort in bright daylight, who has the gut to provide information against him?
Definitely, arresting key figures who are connected with Afghan or Pakistani terror groups is not so difficult for security forces. They rarely hide themselves from public and likely police know about their whereabouts. As in the case of Ishaq, though LeJ always claimed credit for murdering Shias and Hazara, yet he was enjoying the warmth of his family in his very home. It means that he was worried about his arrest or does not think he may get convicted.