Pakistan plans action against groups on terror watch list

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is seriously considering taking ‘radical step’ against at least four organisations currently on the country’s terror watch list, after coming under immense pressure by the United Nations and global and regional powers.

The serious consideration is a result of years of investigation by the civilian and security agencies to unearth massive fundraising by different groups and the individuals, including Jamaatud Dawa (JuD) and its subsidiaries.

Officials familiar with the latest development say, “Recommendations are being made by the investigators for taking radical step against four organisations which were listed under watch by the Ministry of Interior under security 11-D-(1) read with schedule-II, ATA 1997.” These organisations named JuD, Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation (FIF), Maymar Trust, Ghulaman-e-Sahaba were put on watch list last year.

The new step is likely to be announced soon after the visit of a monitoring team of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), which is arriving in Pakistan tomorrow (Wednesday), added the officials.

Officials associated with the Financial Monitoring Unit (FMU) and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) started investigation against around two dozen individuals and entities which were raising funds for Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and its affiliates in 2014. The FMU and FIA began probe based on tips given by the Department of Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets’ Control (OFAC) about these individuals and entities.

“As per details provided by US Department of Treasury, OFAC’s especially designated nationals list updated on Sep 302014 following suspicious transactions were reported on suspects/entities that have been classified by office of foreign assets’ control authorities under global terrorist category due to their alleged link with Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). LeT is also designated as a terrorist entity under UNSC Resolution 1267 and accordingly notified under Pakistan’s UN (Security Council) Act 1948,” revealed a strictly confidential report prepared by FMU. Currently, Pakistan has banned 65 terror organisations, put four organisations under terror watch list and listed two organisations —Al-Rashid Trust and Al-Akhtar Trust under UNSC Resolution 1267.

Officials, who attended an important meeting held at Foreign Office last Friday to prepare Pakistan’s response for UN's monitoring team, said that they also assessed the steps taken by Islamabad under its new strategy to choke terror financing under the NAP announced after deadly attack on students of army public school in Peshawar on December 2014.

A senior Pakistani diplomat who would also be a part of upcoming meeting said, “It would be an opportunity to reiterate the Security Council's support for Islamabad’s efforts to restore peace, stability and progress to the region.

This is a routine visit undertaken by the team to all members of the UN regarding implementation of UN Security Council resolutions on counter-terrorism. This visit has nothing to do with any individual or entity.”

A 15-member UNSC council also visited Kabul last week and in light of this visit some diplomats say that this visit of UNSC team is approaching amid increasing pressure on Pakistan from the US and India on the inadequate implementation of the sanctions on Hafiz Muhammad Saeed and entities linked to him.

Pakistani authorities released Mr Saeed from house arrest three months ago where his release earned reaction from Washington accordingly. US State Department stated in its official response last week that "He (Saeed) is listed by the UNSC 1267, the al-Qaeda Sanctions Committee for targeted sanctions due to his affiliation with Lashkar-e- Taiba, which is a designated foreign terror organisation."