News Analysis |
According to the details, the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD), that registered the cases in five cities of Punjab, has claimed that the JuD was financing terrorism from the massive funds collected through non-profit organizations. Trusts included the Al-Anfal Trust, Dawatul Irshad Trust, Muaz Bin Jabal Trust, etc. The CTD has reliable evidence which can be brought in a court of law, an official stated.
It is believed, in order to counter terrorism, the first step to be taken is to ensure that no banned organizations are financed by any internal or external forces. Some Gulf countries, Israel and India are accused of sponsoring extremist organizations in Pakistan to destabilize her.
The government has announced to implement the NAP in letter and spirit. Authorities have banned some organizations and arrested several leaders and members of various organizations.
Furthermore, spokesperson for CTD elaborated that 23 FIRs were registered against JuD leaders at the CTD police stations of Lahore, Gujranwala, Multan, Faisalabad and Sargodha on the 1st and 2nd July. “Formal investigations on a large scale have been launched against the top leadership of the JuD for terror financing after the registration of FIRs against them during the last two days,” said a spokesperson for the CTD, Punjab.
The decision has been lauded by experts and analysts who demonstrate the seriousness of the government, combat terror financing and extremism in Pakistan. It is believed that the government in Islamabad is serious to get out of the FATF’s gray list. Therefore, it has initiated probe against the extremist elements at home. A few days back, due to Indian propaganda against Pakistan, out-going FATF head indicated at the blacklist Pakistan for not taking appropriate actions. Turkey, Malaysia and China have announced to stand by Pakistan during the FATF battle.
Read more: Did external pressure compel Pakistan to take action against banned outfits?
As a matter of fact, Pakistani law enforcement agencies have taken more than 40 members including senior leaders of Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM), into custody in March this year. Former Interior Minister of State, Mr. Shehryar Khan Afridi stated that nobody will be allowed to challenge the writ of the state. “Crackdown against members of banned outfit is part of National Action Plan. 44 members of have been arrested so far. Crackdown would continue against banned outfits involved in act of violence & terrorism. Pak has faced the longest war of terror & we are taking actions against it,” he tweeted on Wednesday.
Crackdown against members of banned outfit is part of National Action Plan.44 members of these has been arrested so far.Crackdown would continue against banned outfits involved in act of violence & terrorism.Pak has faced the longest war of terror & we r taking actions against it
— Shehryar Afridi (@ShehryarAfridi1) March 5, 2019
The government has announced to implement the NAP in letter and spirit. Authorities have banned some organizations and arrested several leaders and members of various organizations. In addition, mosques and religious seminaries have also been taken into the control of the state to be regulated.
It is important to mention here that Pakistan has announced to take action against all banned organizations operating in the country. According to details, Foreign Office (FO) Spokesperson, Dr Mohammad Faisal announced issuance of the UNSC (Freezing and Seizure) Order, 2019, which is in accordance with the provisions of Pakistan’s UNSC Act of 1948. The government has also decided to take control over “All kinds of assets and properties of all [banned] organizations”.
Read more: JuD, FIF no longer on list of banned organisations
Pakistan has banned many organizations like Sipah-i-Sahaba (SSP), Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat (ASWJ), Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ), Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Tehreek-e-Taliban Swat, Tehrik-e-Nifaz-e-Shariat-e-Mohammadi and Jamat-ul-Ahrar in the past for their involvement in extremism and promotion of terrorism in the country.