LAHORE: Jamatul Dawa under the name of Falah-e-Insaniat is collecting hides and donations on Eidul Azha despite ban by the interior ministry, Pakistan Today has learnt.
The Interior Ministry directed the Punjab Home Department and Punjab Police to ensure ban on some militant organisations including Jamatul Dawa. The organisation was observed marketing across the city, displaying stickers in various markets including Kareem Block market for donation.
It has also set up 24 camps by the name of Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation at different localities including The Mall, near Punjab assembly and CM secretariat, displaying its black flags featuring a sword and the ‘kalma’. Jamatul Dawa Faleh-e-Insaniat Foundation spokesman Hafiz Arshad told Pakistan Today that people’s response to donating sacrificial animals was very encouraging.
“Each camp is getting a donation of two to three cows and eight to 13 sheep daily. We have planned to distribute the meat among 6000 Kashmir martyrs and flood survivors,” he added. Another Jamatul Dawa official said they could never quit the path of ‘righteousness’ and will continue their mission even if they had to change their name a 100 times. “Despite a ban we enjoy support from some government circles and this flexibility is our breathing space,” he added.
ALLEGED GOVERNMENTAL SUPPORT: A senior Islamic scholar seeking anonymity said, “Punjab government’s love for Jamatul Dawa is not hidden anymore. According to the 2010-11 budget documents, the Punjab CM Shahbaz Sharif, using his discretionary powers, has sanctioned two separate grants worth Rs 80 million to the banned organisation.”
He said CM also granted Rs 3 million to Maulana Zahid Qasmi of Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan and his brothers from Faisalabad to repair their houses destroyed in sectarian clashes in Faisalabad. He said Punjab government relations were exposed when Punjab Law Minister Rana Sana Ullah was found seeking support of the banned outfit Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan (SSP) in the by-elections in central Punjab.
Though the government claimed that Jamatul Dawa Murikdke centre was under government’s control but still Jamatul Dawa Chief Hafiz Saeed attended the annual certificate distribution ceremony at the school in Muridke, he added. A human rights activist, Muhammad Mujahid said Hafiz Saeed, who founded Jamatul Dawa, exploited the legal limbo and openly challenged the government’s attempts to tamp down his group.
“As the militant organisation worked well in flood crisis, they are in action to collect donation for flood survivors. In every crisis there are opportunities for the state and non-state actors to win the hearts and minds of the people by demonstrating their capacity to deal with the crisis and enthusiasm to help out. If the state does not deliver, other forces, including militants, often step in to fill the void,” he added.
NO MERCY, LOOPHOLES IN THE LAW: Punjab government spokesman Pervaiz Rashid said the government had not softened its clutches over the banned militant organisations. “How could we have a soft corner for Hafiz Saeed who termed Nawaz government’s collapse as a blessing of God,” he added. He said Punjab government had fully implemented the ban.
However, if an organisation changed its name, it was legally impossible to stop it to function, he added. There were loopholes in the law allowed the banned organisations to work. He assured that if any organisation was using the logo and flags of the banned organizations, they would be clamped down.
He said that Lahore Commissioner Khusru Pervaiz and DCO Ahad Cheema had been tasked to check such irregularity and take prompt action.
