'FYI Pakistan was not searching for him, he was living freely': US committee counters Donald Trump's claims on Hafiz Saeed's arrest

The House Foreign Affairs Committee countered US President Donald Trump's remarks on UN-proscribed terrorist and 26/11 terror attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed after he was arrested by the Punjab CTD in Lahore, Pakistan. 

Taking to Twitter, the legislative committee slammed Trump on his claims that Pakistan was searching for the JuD Chief for 10 years. In its tweet, the House Foreign Affairs Committee reminded Trump that Pakistan was not looking for Hafiz Saeed for 10 years, but he was living freely in the country and was arrested multiple times and released again.

The Committee went on to give an account of the times when Pakistan arrested Hafiz Saeed owing to international pressures, however, re-released him every time they arrested him.

Here's an account of the times he was arrested:

1. December 2001
2. May 2002
3. October 2002
4. August 2006 (twice)
5. December 2008
6. September 2009
7. January 2017

 The US Committee further asked its Donald Trump to hold his 'applause' until the Saeed's convicted by Pakistan.

WATCH | ACCESSED: Video Of Terrorist Hafiz Saeed Following His Arrest In Pakistan's Lahore

Saeed was arrested on Wednesday in Lahore by the Punjab Counter-Terrorism Department in Lahore while he was on his way to an anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Gujranwala to seek bail.

Taking to Twitter following the development, Trump had claimed that the so-called "mastermind" of the Mumbai terror attacks, was arrested after a 10-year search and great pressure to find him for the last two years. 

Notably, Saeed's arrest has come days before Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's maiden visit to the US after taking office. The Pakistan Prime Minister through his visit is hoping to revive the relations between the two countries that have been deteriorating since his got elected for office. 

The US Department of the Treasury has designated Saeed as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist, and the US, since 2012, has offered a USD 10 million reward for information that brings Saeed to justice.

READ | 10-year Search? Donald Trump Claims Credit For Hafiz Saeed's Arrest In Blunder-filled Statement, Cites US Pressure On Pakistan