News Desk |
The PTI-led federal government and government of Punjab decided, on Friday, to identify and seize more properties belonging to the organizations proscribed by the United Nations. The federal and Punjab authorities have also ordered action against all unregistered and non-functional non-profit organizations (NPOs).
Sources reveal that the working and assets of all registered NPOs will also be examined to identify all those who are engaged in activities that threaten the national interest, and are banned by the United Nations.
Punjab Additional Chief Secretary Syed Ali Murtaza also addressed the meeting, and briefed that multiple NPOs are operating in Punjab without getting themselves registered.
These decisions were ushered forward during a high-level meeting at the provincial home department. Ahmed Farooq, the Director General Counter Terrorism at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, addressed the meeting and explained the nature of restrictions imposed on banned outfits and their members, in light of the UN Security Council’s Resolution 1267.
Strict Regulations & Scrutiny
The meeting was also addressed by Mohammad Iqbal, Director General National Counter Terrorism Authority, who highlighted the UN Security Council’s Resolution 1373 to address the sensitive mechanisms of NPOs, and stressed that these organizations must be regulated with strict measures.
Director General Iqbal issued orders to all deputy commissioners of Punjab to provide detailed information about the NPOs operational in the areas, and send this information to the provincial home department without delay.
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Foreign Ministry’s DG Counter Terrorism also urged the home department to seize all properties from proscribed organizations, including the properties that have been donated to them by various sources. He said, “Assets of all those banned and declared terrorists by the United Nations must be frozen.”
Punjab Additional Chief Secretary Syed Ali Murtaza also addressed the meeting, and briefed that multiple NPOs are operating in Punjab without getting themselves registered.
Additional Chief Secretary Murtaza stressed that the NPOs have been provided with flexible opportunities to come forward and get them registered, but now, strict action will be taken against all unregistered organizations.
The government of Punjab has issued a pro forma to the divisional commissions to assist them in examining the working and financial arrangements of the registered Non-Profit Organizations (NPOs).
He stressed that all NPOs acting under the disguise of welfare organizations, trusts and societal bodies will be dealt with strict measures. The Additional Chief Secretary said that strict regulation measures will be implemented to scrutinize the bank accounts and operations of these NPOs.
This high-level meeting was attended by provincial secretary prosecution, deputy commissioners of Punjab, and officials from social welfare, excise and healthcare departments amongst others.
Reports reveal that the Punjab government has seized 599 properties belonging to the proscribed Jamaat-ud Dawa and Jaish-e-Mohammad. These properties include healthcare facilities, seminaries, schools and ambulances.
The reports also reveal that certain properties of these two banned outfits and other organizations may have been gone undetected, but if these properties are detected, they will also be seized.
Read more: Terror financing and terrorism: Hafiz Saeed and 12 others booked
The government of Punjab has issued a pro forma to the divisional commissions to assist them in examining the working and financial arrangements of the registered Non-Profit Organizations (NPOs), and identify which of these organizations are involved in terror financing and anti-state activities.