Malik Ishaq's name recommended for Exit Control List

Rehman Malik orders provinces to formulate reports and strategies on combating terrorism in their respective regions.

The Interior Ministry on Thursday discussed putting the name of Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat (ASWJ) chief Malik Muhammad Ishaq on the Exit Control List (ECL), Express News reported. Interior Minister Rehman Malik directed that a reminder should be issued for this recommendation.

The decision came amidst reports suggesting that Ishaq was planning to leave Pakistan.

Addressing a meeting in Islamabad on Thursday, Malik said that he had taken notice of the law and order situation and ordered the provinces to submit individual reports on the terrorist groups in their respective regions.

He further asked the provinces to put forward proposals to stop the activities of groups who have been involved in terrorist activities throughout the country, many of which are now working under other  names after they were banned previously.

Earlier, as many as 119 members of the ASWJ, Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ) and Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan (SSP) were placed under ‘preventive detention’ under the Maintenance of Public Order in a province-wide operation by the Punjab police and the Counter-Terrorism Department. Malik Ishaq, Ghulam Rasool Shah, and Maavia Azam Tariq are already in police custody.