Pakistan cracks down on Hafiz Saeed’s groups, freezes assets of JuD, FIF

ISLAMABAD - Pakistani authorities have been ordered to freeze the assets of Jamaatud Dawa (JuD) and Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation (FIF), previously run by Hafiz Saeed, under Anti-terrorism (Amendment) Ordinance, 2018.

The Ordinance, promulgated by President Mamnoon Hussain earlier this week, enables the government of Pakistan to impose a ban on the entities banned by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

The Wednesday’s notification came a month after a high-level UN sanctions team visited the South Asian country to review progress against groups and individuals banned by the world body.

Following orders by the Punjab government, district administration of Rawalpindi took control of a seminary and four dispensaries run by Saeed – who is accused of masterminding the 2008 Mumbai terror attack.

The seminary has been handed over to the Auqaf department which controls the religious properties, Dawn reported.

https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/headline/sc-orders-removal-of-barriers-outside-jati-umra-governor-house-hafiz-saeed-residence-at-once/

Pakistan has come under intense pressure to rein in militant outfits after US President accused the country of harbouring terrorists and suspended nearly $2 billion in security assistance to it.

Following an amendment in Section 11-B and 11-EE of the ATA, the organisations and personnel banned through the UN’s Security Council’s resolution will stand banned in Pakistan too.

On Tuesday, the Interior Ministry placed a ban on terrorist outfit Jundullah.

A group associated with the banned outfit, Al-Harmain Foundation, was also banned on charges of collecting funds, pursuant to resolution 1267 (1999) of the United Nations Security Council’s (UNSC).

A notification, issued by the ministry on January 31, states that the organisation is acting in a manner that “may be concerned in terrorism”.

Islamabad denies assisting militants in Afghanistan and India.

Pakistan has recently taken several actions against the entities banned by the UN. The recent actions have come ahead of the crucial Financial Action Task Force (FATF) meeting in Paris, scheduled to be held from 18 to 23 February.