–Sindh govt takes over 36 seminaries and other facilities run by JuD, FIF
–Rawalpindi administration seals seminary, hospital and two dispensaries operated by JuD
ISLAMABAD: The provincial governments in Sindh and Punjab on Wednesday sealed several establishments run by the proscribed Jamaatud Dawa (JuD) and other outfits under the National Action Plan (NAP).
Sindh CM’s Adviser on Law Murtaza Wahab announced that the Sindh government has taken over the control of 56 facilities, including schools, hospitals and seminaries run by JuD and its charity wing, Falah-i-Insaniat Foundation (FIF).
Wahab said that the staff of the institutions would continue working after due clearance and scrutiny as per standards and procedures of the government. Giving break up of these facilities, the adviser said that 31 schools, 16 seminaries and nine hospitals located in Sindh had been taken over by the provincial government.
He added that 10 schools, nine seminaries and five hospitals were located in Karachi division; three schools and one hospital in Hyderabad district; two schools and one seminary in Matiari; one school in Jamshoro; three schools, one hospital in Mirpurkhas; four schools in Sanghar; one school in Tando Allahyar; three schools and one seminary in Badin; one school, two hospitals , one seminary in Tharparkar; one seminary in Naushehro Feroz; two schools and three seminaries in Shaheed Benazir Abad; and one school in Kambar Shahdadkot.
Meanwhile, the district government of Rawalpindi sealed a seminary, hospital and two dispensaries — located on the Chakrah and Adiala roads and run by the JuD, officials said.
On the condition of anonymity, an official told Pakistan Today that the charge of the assets of the proscribed organisations has been handed over to respective provincial governments who will administer the affairs of the same.
“Those taken under protective detention also include Mufti Abdul Rauf and Hammad Azhar who have been named in the dossier handed over to Pakistan by Indian government regarding Pulwama Attack. The arrest of 100 is a fresh move out of total 400 individuals arrested on the charge of inciting religious violence which is a testimony to that,” the official said.
The official also said that the federal government has taken the action on its ongoing policy to deal with terrorism and extremism and the action may not be viewed under the ongoing tensions between Pakistan and India.
“This [action] is a part of the National Action Plan (NAP) agreed upon by all political parties and passed by the parliament. This action should not be viewed in isolation,” the official said.
The official also said that NACTA, the anti-terrorism institution, will be strengthened while chocking financing of terrorists and terrorist organisations and preventing the re-emergence of proscribed organisations. The official said that registration and regulation of religious seminaries, dealing with issues of Afghan refugees, revamping and reforming criminal justice system would be ensured.
The official said that action against literature promoting hatred, extremism and intolerance would also be banned while taking effective steps against religious persecution would also be ensured. The official said that measures against abuse of internet and social media for terrorism would be taken.
“Zero tolerance would be observed against militancy in Punjab. Sectarian terrorists would be dealt with firmly. Implementation of the death sentence of those convicted in cases of terrorism would be ensured and special trial courts under the supervision of the army are also working. Militant outfits and armed gangs will not be allowed to operate in the country besides establishing and deploying a dedicated counterterrorism force,” the official added.
The official further said that there is a complete ban on the glorification of terrorist organisations through media while dismantling of the communication network of terrorists is also being ensured. Counter-terrorism effort is proceeding well while counter-extremism efforts need to be invigorated, the official concluded.
Earlier, Minister of State for Interior Shehryar Afridi vowed that action against organisations, prescribed under NAP, will be continued till “achievement of objectives”.
“Operation against proscribed organisations as per National Action Plan 2014 (NAP) shall continue till achievement of objectives. Efforts to accelerate progress on complete NAP are being pursued,” he posted on his Twitter handle.
Operation against proscribed organisations as per National Action Plan 2014 (NAP) shall continue till achievement of objectives. Efforts to accelerate progress on complete NAP are being pursued.
— Shehryar Afridi (@ShehryarAfridi1) March 6, 2019
According to reports, a list of all establishments run by proscribed outfits has been created and the district government will take action against them. However, no arrests will be made during the crackdown.
On Tuesday, seminaries run by the JuD in Chakwal — Madrassa Khalid Bin Waleed in the Talagang area and Madrassa Darus Salam on Chakwal’s Railway Road — along with their staff were placed under the administrative charge of the federal Auqaf department.
The Ministry of Interior also announced on Monday that 44 under-observation members of proscribed organisations, including Mufti Abdul Raoof and Hamad Azhar — the brother and son of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) leader Masood Azhar, respectively — were taken in “preventive detention” for investigation.
The government had on Monday notified a 2019 order of the United Nations Security Council that would provide a legal basis for freezing or seizure of properties owned by individuals and organisations designated by the council as terrorists.
The order was issued to meet the requirements of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) regarding the implementation of the designation of persons and entities under the UNSC resolutions. Pakistan, despite making some progress in overcoming the shortcomings in its counter-terrorism financing and anti-money laundering regimes, continues to remain under the cloud at the global illicit financing watchdog.
After failing to adequately convince the FATF, Pakistan is now required to complete actions it has to take by the May timeline. The next FATF plenary is due in June this year.
