ISLAMABAD – The ban on Maulana Ahmed Ludhianvi , and his Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat (ASWJ) movement has been removed by the National Counter-Terrorism Authority (NACTA), upon the recommendation of the Punjab home department.
Ludhianvi is the chief of the proscribed movement since the 2009 death of Ali Sher Haidri. Formerly known as Sipah e Sahaba, this organization had been outlawed due to its extremist and sectarian nature.
He was included on the Fourth Schedule, a section of the Anti-Terrorism Act, that places leaders and activists of groups involved in sectarian or terrorist activities under observation.
The removal, by the caretaker regime of Punjab, comes as a surprise amid global calls for removing terror sanctuaries but sources state that a high-profile committee of the provincial home department was behind the move.
The committee reviews cases of people on the Fourth Schedule periodically and suggests removals of bans if they find the behavior of the person in question up to the mark, Express Tribune reported.
https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/headline/fatf-put-pakistan-on-grey-list-by-ignoring-efforts-against-terror-financing/
For Ludhianvi , this removal entails the restoration of certain liberties. He is free to travel abroad and own weapons and arms provided he follows proper procedure and licensing. Furthermore, his CNIC has also been unblocked, putting him at liberty to purchase property. Access to his bank accounts has also been restored.
Ironically, this decision coincided with Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts to prevent blacklisting by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), with a commitment to a 26 point action plan whereby it would prevent the financing of terrorist groups.
Failure to abide by the FATF regulations would be a great blow as it would place Pakistan on the blacklist, effectively isolating it in the international community.
