The Pakistani authorities have put the name of Jamaat-ud Dawa chief Hafiz Mohammed Saeed — alleged mastermind of the Mumbai carnage — on the Exit Control List — banning his departure outside Pakistan.
“The Punjab home department has put the name of Hafiz Saeed on the Exit Control List. He can’t move abroad,” a government official said.
He said the home department has also imposed bar on banned outfits which are operating after changing their names. The ban has been slapped on 23 organisations.
The banned Sipha-e-Sahaba Pakistan was functioning under the name of Millat-e-Islamia Pakistan, Jaish-e-Mohammed under the name of the Khuddamul Islam and Tehrik-e-Jafferia Pakistan with the changed name of Islamic Tehrik-e-Pakistan.
The authorities have identified 1,690 members of banned outfits.
“These members have been included in the Fourth Schedule of the Anti-Terrorism Act and instructions have been issued to keep vigil on their activities,” the official added.
He said the authorities will take action against Jamaat-ud Dawa, Al-Rasheed Trust and Al-Akhtar Trust in the light of UN resolutions.
In June, Pakistan and India held interior/home minister and foreign secretary level talks signalling start of a new peace process.
India has been demanding handing over of Hafiz Saeed and other 26/11 suspects. Pakistan has so far denied this but has been assuring India that the suspects will be tried under the Pakistani law.
Before the talks, India gave a dossier containing specific sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) under which Saeed is wanted in India. Pakistan cites legal difficulties in prosecuting Saeed.