LAHORE: The Punjab government has frozen assets worth Rs 23.4 billion belonging to office-bearers of a banned organisation, according to the provincial spokesperson. Authorities have also blocked 92 bank accounts and all associated digital financial channels linked to the group.
During a high-level meeting on law and order, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz directed that the ongoing combing operations continue without interruption. The spokesperson said cases have been registered against nine financiers of the banned organisation as the provincial administration dismantles the group’s operational infrastructure. Modern weapons, ammunition, bulletproof jackets and other equipment were recovered from their hideouts, while funding networks used to incite unrest under the cover of protest have been cut off.
A total of 32 cases have been registered against the banned extremist group, while the Punjab government has decided to request federal assistance to expand the crackdown to other provinces. Meanwhile, 31 cases have been lodged over the spread of anti-state material on social media.
The spokesperson added that more than 61,000 forms have been distributed in mosques across the province, with over 50,000 clerics completing registration to reinforce coordination with law-enforcement agencies. With 82 percent registration of clerics achieved, the Chief Minister expressed satisfaction and urged that imams be treated respectfully during the process.
Five major federations of religious seminaries have also agreed to cooperate on mosque and cleric registration. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz stated that imams lead prayers and should not be compelled to collect donations for survival.
She directed that wall-chalkings be eliminated across the province and instructed all deputy commissioners to ensure strict enforcement of the ban. She also voiced appreciation for public support in rejecting extremism.
In light of the recent Islamabad blast, the Chief Minister ordered enhanced surveillance, including the deployment of drones in every district and drone monitoring of harassment-related incidents.