Punjab issues list of proscribed organisations, warns citizens against giving charity to these entities

LAHORE: The Punjab home department on Friday issued a list of 89 proscribed organisations and unregistered charitable institutions, warning citizens that giving charity to these entities would be treated as a crime under the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997.

According to a statement issued by the Punjab Home Department spokesperson, anyone assisting the banned organisations involved in terrorism or anti-state activities “will face legal action” as it was a crime under the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997.

The spokesperson said that charitable organisations in Punjab must be registered with the Punjab Charity Commission, adding that citizens should donate their zakat, charity, and contributions only to registered organisations.

“All registered institutions can be verified through the QR code printed on their certificates. Citizens should ensure that their donations reach the rightful beneficiaries rather than terrorists,” he said.

The department urged residents to lodge complaints against organisations involved in fraud, terrorism and anti-state activities. It also requested that people inform authorities about proscribed organisations collecting donations by calling the following numbers: 080011111, 04299213871.

It further added that information about registered organisations could be sought from the Punjab Charity Commission’s WhatsApp (03134995564).

According to the list released by the Punjab government, the following are banned organisations: Lashkar-i-Jhangvi; Sipah-i-Muhammad Pakistan; Jaish-i-Muhammad (JeM) and its affiliated organisation — Al-Rehmat Trust in Bahawalpur and Al-Furqan Trust in Karachi; Lashkar-i-Tayyiba; Sipah-i-Sahaba Pakistan; Tehreek-i-Jaffria Pakistan; Tehreek-i-Nifaz-i-Shariat-i-Mohammad; Tehreek-i-Islami’; Al-Qaeda; Millat-i-Islamia Pakistan; and Khuddam-ul-Islam.

Further, Islami Tehreek Pakistan; Jameet-ul-Ansar; Jamat-ul-Furqan; Hizb-ul-Tahreer; Khair-un-Naas International Trust (splinter group of Jamat-ul-Da’awa; Balochistan Liberation Army; Islamic Students Movement of Pakistan; Lashkar-i-Islami; Ansarul Islam; Haji Namdar Group; Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan; Balochistan Republican Army; Balochistan Liberation Front; Lashkar-i-Balochistan; Balochistan Liberation United Front; Balochistan Musalla Defah Tanzeem; Shia Tulaba Action Committee, Gilgit; Markaz Sabeel Organisation in Gilgit; Tanzeem Naujawana-e-Ahle Sunnat Gilgit; and the Peoples Aman Committee.

Further, the list also included Ahle Sunnat wal Jamat; Al Harmain Foundation; Rabita Trust; Anjuman-i-Imamia, Gilgit Baltistan; Muslim Students Organisation, Gilgit; Tanzeem Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamat, Gilgit; Balochistan Bunyad Parast Army; Tehreek Nafaz-i-Aman; Tahafuz Hadudullah; Balochistan Waja Liberation Army; Baloch Republican Party Azad; Balochistan United Army; Islam Mujahidin; Jaish-i-Islam; Balochistan National Liberation Army; Khana-i-Hikmat G-B, Gilgit; Tehreek-i-Taliban Swat; Tehreek-i-Taliban Mohmand; Tariq Geedar Group; Abduallah Azam Brigade; East Turkemenistan Islamic Movement; Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan; Islamic Jihad Union; 313 Brigade; Tehreek-i-Taliban Bajaur; Amar bil Maroof Wa Nahi Anil Munkil (Haji Namdaar Group); Baloch Student Organisation Azad; United Baloch Army; Jeay Sindh Muttahida Mahaz; Daesh; Jamaatul Ahrar; Lashkar-i-Jhangvi Al-Almi; Ansarul Hussain; Tehreek-i-Azadi-Jammu & Kashmir; Jundullah; Al Rahman Welfare Trust Organisation; and Balawaristan National Front (Abdul Hameed Khan Group).

Further, Jamaatud Dawa and its subsidiaries — Al-Anfaal Trust, Lahore; Idara Khidmat-i-Khalq, Lahore; Al-Dawat-ul-Irshad, Lahore; Al-Hamad Trust, Lahore/Faisalabad; Mosques and Welfare Trust, Lahore; Al-Madinah Foundation, Lahore; and Maaz Bin Jabal Educational Trust, Lahore — were also included.

Moreover, Falah-i-Insaniyat Foundation and its affiliated organisations — Al-Fazal Foundation/Trust, Lahore and Al-Esaar Foundation, Lahore; Pak-Turk International CAG Education Foundation; Hizbul Ahrar; Balochistan Raaji Aajoi Sangar; Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz; Sindhu Desh Revolutionary Army; Sindhu Desh Liberation Army; Khatam-ul-Anbiya; Ghazi Force; Zainbiyoun Brigade; Majeed Brigade; Hafiz Gul Bahadur Group; Pashtun Tahafuz Movement and Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan were also included.

The list also noted that there were four organisations under watch by the interior ministry: Ghulaman-i-Sahaba; Maymar Trust; Sachal Sarmast Welfare Trust, Karachi; and Al-Jaza Patient Welfare Society, Karachi.

It added that there were two organisations enlisted under the UN Security Council Resolution 1267; Al Akhtar Trust and Al Rashid Trust.