Banned outfits defy ban on hides collection

Some 31 banned outfits launched hides collection campaign under the guise of welfare organisations during Eidul Azha.

ISLAMABAD: Banned outfits in defiance of restriction on their activities imposed by the authorities of the twin cities  of Islamabad-Rawalpindi collected hides of sacrificial animals.

Some 31 banned outfits successfully launched hides collection campaign under the guise of welfare organisations during Eidul Azha, The Express Tribune learnt.

The focus of concerned authorities remained on security related issues, an official in Islamabad administration told The Express Tribune. He said that the administration did not take any stern action against these banned outfits due to prevailing security threats.

The administrations of the twin cities had made an agreement before Eid to ensure strict action against outfits that were found involved in hide collection. Police in the twin cities were instructed to take action against any banned organisation that tries to collect hides of sacrificial animals.

Deputy Commissioner Amir Ali Ahmad denied the information and said due to the administration’s efforts, a very small number of organisations set up their camps to collect hides of sacrificial animals this year. To a query, he said if a banned outfit operated under its changed name, it was an exception. He said one should point out such illegal camps and the administration would direct police to take action against them.

DC said it was quite difficult to differentiate between welfare organisations and banned outfits, but if such organisations come in the administration’s notice, stern action would be taken against them.

Yahya Mujahid, spokesperson for Jamaatud Dawa (JuD), said under Falah-e-Insaniayat’s banner, JuD set up seven camps in the federal capital city and ten such camps in the adjacent city of Rawalpindi.

To a query, he said that JuD was not a banned outfit. “But yes, we are under observation,” he added. He claimed that JuD was not involved in any terrorist activity.

Mujahid said his organisation was unable to collect a considerable number of hides for their welfare activities.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 20^th, 2010.