Group linked to Hafiz Saeed’s Jamaat-ud-Dawa listed among proscribed outfits

Nacta's list of proscribed organisations mentions that the outfit was banned on June 8

The Pakistani government has banned the Tehreek-e-Azadi Jammu and Kashmir (TAJK), an outfit reportedly linked to Hafiz Saeed-led Jamaat-ul-Da'awa (JuD).

TAJK’s name has appeared in the National Counter Terrorism Authority’s (Nacta) list of proscribed organisations that also mentions that the outfit was banned on June 8, 2017.

Hafiz Saeed’s JuD was put on the observation list on January this year by the authorities with the interior minister saying the step was taken to “fulfill obligations”.

Nacta's list of proscribed organisations. PHOTO: Nacta



“The organisation [JuD] has been ‘under observation’ since 2010-11. Since it has also been listed by the UN Security Council [Sanctions Committee], we are bound to take some steps. We are taking those steps to fulfill our obligations,” the minister said in January this year.

The JuD and its wing the Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation (FIF) were placed on the watch list and put on the second schedule under Section 11-EEE (1) of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997.

In 2012, the United States announced a bounty of $10 million on Saeed for his alleged role in 2008 Mumbai attacks in which six American citizens were also killed.

Talking to The Express Tribune, TAJK Deputy General Khalid Waleed admitted that JuD representatives were part of the TAJK, but maintained that the body was not a substitute for the JuD. He further added that the outfit’s leadership comprised Kashmiris with Maulana Abdul Aziz Alvi heading it.



TAJK activists have been seen in past holding portraits and placards supporting JuD’s Saeed.

Saeed and other JuD office-bearers including Abdullah Ubaid of Faisalabad, Zafar Iqbal and Abdul Rehman Abid of Markaz-e-Tayyaba Muridke and Kashif Niazi of Multan were placed under house arrest on January 30 for 90 days. After their detention period expired, it was extended for 90 more days.