Jamaatud Dawa not linked to LeT, won't be banned: govt

SAFRON minister rules out any scope for banning JuD anytime in "near future”

Pakistan ruled out the possibility of banning Jamaatud Dawa (JuD) in the near future, claiming it has no links with the terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).

Minister for States and Frontier Abdul Qadir Baloch ruled out any “scope for banning JuD anytime in near future” on the Senate Floor on Tuesday.

The SAFRON minister’s claim comes after a United Nations resolution said the JuD is simply an alias for LeT.

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According to IBN Live, this matter will be taken up when Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi meets on Friday on the sidelines of the SCO summit in Russia.

Earlier during the question hour Farhatullah Babar questioned whether banned militant outfits were allowed to resurrect under a different name or as charity organisation. In response, the interior ministry said that any organisation proscribed under Anti-Terrorism Act 1997 is prohibited from any activities including charity work under different names.

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Babar said that Jaish-e-Mohammad had six charity organisations. This included Khuddamul Islam [banned], Jamiatul Furqan [banned], Al-Akhtar Trust [UNSCR listed], Al-Rashid Trust [UNSCR listed], Al-Rehmat Trust [US listed] Al-Afnaal Trust [US listed]. Similarly, Lashkar-e-Taiba had changed name to Jamaatud Dawa [UNSCR listed] and Falah-e-Insaniyat [UNSCR listed].

UNSCR has listed Jamaatud Dawa as an alias of Lashkar-e-Taiba. A reply by the Interior ministry to the senate stated that “Supporting evidence has not been shared with Pakistan to establish such connections.

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Currently the JuD is placed under observation in SRO dated 15 November 2003 and mentioned in all provinces for any suspect activity. Between 2008 and 2010 the offices were closed, however relief was given by the LHC. Presently, the JuD is engaged in charity and social work, operating hospitals, clinics, schools, ambulance service and religious institutions, the reply added.