Pak court reserves verdict on Saeed’s plea to ban Phantom

Soon to be released movie Phantom has been banned nationally in Pakistan due to the complaints registered by JuD chief Hafiz Saeed, who alleges that the movie spreads negative propaganda against him and his associates.

The Pakistan censor board had yet not cleared the film for screening in the country.

But in contrast to the novel, which used pseudonyms for these accused of plotting the assault, “Phantom” apparently names Saeed, in addition to American David Coleman Headley, who was sentenced to 35 years in a D.J. jail for his position in planning the siege.

The fact Saeed is named in “Phantom” puts him at risk, lawyer A.K. Dogar told The Associated Press.

“The petitioner is unnecessarily trying to involve the government”, he said.

He pleaded the court to ban the movie for exhibition in Pakistani cinemas. The film is based on crime author Hussain Zaidi’s novel “Mumbai Avengers” and is set to release on August 28, 2015. Saeed denies having any links with the militancy now.

NIA has registered a case under various sections of Indian Penal Code and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act against Naved and his accomplice who had fired on a BSF convoy on August five killing two personnel.

As per reports, captured Pakistani terrorist Mohammad Naved Yakub Naved revealed to the NIA that Saeed also gave motivational speeches to fight jihad against India.

Hafiz Mohammed Saeed, who has a $10 million bounty on his head over alleged involvement in the 2008 Mumbai attacks, had petitioned the Lahore High Court to ban the film “Phantom” in Pakistan, saying it posed a threat to his life and was Indian propaganda meant to hurt Pakistan’s image.

Seven other suspects remain on trial, though the attack’s alleged mastermind, Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, has been free on bail since April.

That continues to anger many in India, including “Phantom” star Saif Ali Khan.