Staff Report
ISLAMABAD: Federal government has decided to ban Ansarul Islam, a militia force of the JUI-F under relevant laws.
The Ministry of Interior has got approval of the federal cabinet for action against the militia force of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), sources said.
The interior ministry has been empowered under Article 146 for consultations with the province.The militia will be outlawed under Article 256 and section 2 of the related 1974 act.
According to the summary the provinces will be delegated powers through the interior ministry after consultation. The provinces will be empowered to act against the entity for complete implementation of the directives issued by the federal government.
According to the summary, the JUI-F has constituted the armed wing, intelligence have reported.
The uniformed force recently marched in Peshawar with sticks, covered with barbed wires, summary said.
“It seems the uniformed force intends to challenge the writ of the state and witnessed preparing for confrontation with the law enforcement agencies,” the summary said.
According to the summary, “the militia force is comprises of over 80,000 men.” There is apprehension of worsening of the law and order situation during the ‘Azadi March’,” the summary said. “Formation of Ansarul Islam as an armed force is violation of Article 256 of the Constitution,” summary said.
It is not improbable that Ansarul Islam militia might have arms and its activities could pose threat to peace in Islamabad as well as in provinces, the summary said. Article 256 prohibits formation of an armed organization. The National Action Plan doesn’t permit an armed outfit, the summary further argued. The Federation under the Private Military Organization Act 1974 could order disbanding of any such organization, the summary added.
Meanwhile, Defence Minister Pervez Khattak said on Saturday that the government is not mulling over the option to summon contingents of military troops in the federal capital Islamabad in view of the upcoming protests of the opposition parties. While addressing a press conference alongside Federal Education Minister ShafqatMahmood, the defence minister Pervez Khattak rejected the speculations regarding the government for considering an option to summon military troops in Islamabad during the forthcoming ‘Azadi March’ announced by the JamiatUlema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) supremoMaulanaFazlurRehman.
The statement was made by the defence minister Pervez Khattak, who is leading the committee formed to hold dialogues with the JUI-F leadership. The other members of the committee include Senate Chairman SadiqSanjrani, National Assembly (NA) Speaker AsadQaiser, ShafqatMahmood, NoorulHaqQadri, Punjab Assembly Speaker PervaizElhai and NA legislator Asad Umar. “There is no need to call military here nor the government is considering it. The reports are baseless and it seems that an agenda designed by the anti-Pakistan elements is being followed. I am sure that Maulana will not fulfill the agenda of someone else.” Pervez Khattak also said “I am requesting all opposition parties to talks to us. Anarchy will be spread if the parties don’t bring forward its demands and it will be held responsible. If you will not talk to us then we will definitely perform our duties.”
“We’ve opened our cards in a clear manner that the law will be followed if anyone’s challenging the writ of the government.” Pervez Khattak clarified that the resignation of the Prime Minister Imran is impossible. The minister continued that the decision to form a dialogue committee is not the result of panic.
