Five more suspects added in fourth schedule list

Rawalpindi man manages to flee country, sources say

RAWALPINDI: Another five residents of Rawalpindi were put on the fourth schedule – a list of people closely monitored due to their possible links with militant groups or involvement in harmful activities – as a suspect who was already on the list managed to flee the country.

Sources said authorities placed names of 34 people of Rawalpindi on the fourth schedule as part of the National Action Plan (NAP) against terrorism. However, on recommendation of police and security agencies, another five people have been added to the list.

They said Punjab Home Department has directed police and concerned institutions to keep a close eye on the fourth schedulers, who are bound to inform the police before leaving the area and are not allowed to enter any sensitive building or attend any such gathering.

However, during scrutiny, the authorities discovered that a suspect on the list – Nadeem Yousuf –managed to flee to Russia. Later, the Cantonment Station police also registered a case against the suspect under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA).

Source said the home department has recommended that passports of the persons on the fourth schedule be seized in order to prevent them from leaving for abroad. However, not decision has been taken in this regard.

The ‘proscribed’ individuals included in the list are suspected of sectarianism or terrorism under Section 11EE of the ATA 1997. This section says the government can recommend a person’s name for the fourth schedule it receives information that the individual is linked to an outfit under observation.

Name of a suspect is usually put on the list for a period of three years. However, this duration can be extended ‘if needed’ after the completion of three years.