Expressing displeasure on the failure of the Punjab government to implement the federal government’s directions to check the activities of banned religious outfits, the interior ministry has written a letter to Punjab Chief Secretary Nasir Mahmood Khosa instructing that the provincial government control the free-rein of proscribed organisations in the province. The letter sent by secretary interior KM Siddiq Akbar, a copy of which is available with Pakistan Today, says, “This is in continuation of my earlier letter and with reference to public gathering in Rawalpindi on December 22, 2011 held under auspicious of ‘Difa-e-Pakistan Council.’”
“I, with a heavy heart, bring it to your notice that apparently no heed has been paid to the contents of my earlier letter and the activities of proscribed organizations have continued unabated and unchecked. This is very unfortunate and the attitude needs to be reviewed,” the letter adds.
The Secretary Interior said that it is expected that due vigilance shall be maintained and no proscribed organization or person shall be allowed to violate law with impunity due to the slackness of the provincial government’s law enforcement authorities.
A government source told Pakistan Today that the letter had been written on Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani’s directions imparted during the cabinet meeting on February 1 (Wednesday) when Human Resource Development minister of state Sheikh Waqas Akram raised concerns over the unabated movement of banned religious outfits in Punjab and holding public processions from the platform of Difa-e-Pakistan Council.
The copy of the letter sent previously on September 23, 2011 is also attached with the fresh letter which states that “I am constrained to point out that activities of Lashkar-e-Jhangvi are increasing day-by-day and despite the fact that it is a proscribed organisation, its leadership and workers are moving freely without any legal action. Most of these organisations have been placed under schedule-IV of ATA-I997 (list attached). It has also come to our notice that Lashkar-e-Jhangvi outlets are reportedly being funded by Zakat funds which needs a clarification and confirmation if so. The Interior Minister desires that the matter be kindly brought to the notice of the Punjab Chief Minister.”