MPs express concerns over banned outfits’ activities

Members of Parliament (MPs) Friday expressed their concerns over free movement and rallies of banned outfits under the umbrella of Difa-e-Pakistan Council (DPC) in Punjab, warning the federal and provincial governments of severe consequences if they did not take solid steps in this regard.

Speaking at point of order in the National Assembly, PML-Q Member Sheikh Waqas Akram said that organizations banned by the government due to their terrorist activities, were openly participating in the rallies organized by the DPC in various cities of Punjab.

Waqas, the state minister for Labour, belongs to Jhang district, which is a highly sensitive area due to sectarian conflicts.

Criticising Interior Minister Rehman Malik, he said that he always blamed the Punjab government for allowing banned organization to hold rallies but a banned group had also held such rally in federal capital in the recent times.

Referring to the rally of Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat, alternate name for Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan, a Deobandi anti-Shia and anti-Barelvi organization, in Islamabad, Waqas observed, “It is a shame for the interior minister.”

He added that how the government would fight war against terr if it could not block rally of a banned outfit. “Under the Anti Terrorism Act 1997, these organisations cannot even wave their flags,” he maintained.

Speaking on the occasion, Chairman Sunni Itehad Council, Sahibzada Fazl Karim said that persons pointed out in fourth schedule were openly addressing the rallies which was a sever violation of law and threat to law and order.

“Who is giving permission these people for holding rallies,” Karim said adding the banned outfits were challenging the writ of the state.

It is vital to mention here that Malik Ishaq, former head of the proscribed Lashkar-i-Jhangvi, had also attended a rally organised by the Difa-e-Pakistan Council in Multan on Jan 30.

Responding to MPs’ concerns, Interior Minister Rehman Malik said that he was unable to take actions against these outfits because of loopholes in law. He said that federal government could not interfere in the matters, which fell under the administration of the provincial governments.

Malik assured that investigation would be held into the rally of banned organization in Islamabad, adding that banned organisations were carrying out their activities under new names and identities.

The interior minister requested the house to pass the National Counter Terrorism Authority (NCTA) Bill, which is pending, with the Senate Standing Committee on Law and Justice for last two years.

“The courts grant bail to the terrorist due to lack of evidences while security personnel cannot take strict actions against them without any legal authority,” Malik added.

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Posted by Faisal Farooq on Feb 4 2012. Filed under National, Pakistan, Society. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.