The federal capital's administration on Friday imposed a ban on all political and religious activities by Lal Masjid's Shuhada Foundation, declaring it an "unregistered entity".

Deputy Commissioner (DC) Islamabad had received an application for a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the Shuhada Foundation for a ceremony to be held in remembrance of the 'martyrs' of the military crackdown on Lal Masjid and Jamia Hafsa on July 7.

Responding to the request, the DC Islamabad's office released a notification rejecting not only the said application, but also disallowing the foundation from conducting any political or religious activities owing to it not being registered with any state entity.

The notification, signed by an additional district magistrate, has warned the foundation against violating the order, which could lead to "strict legal action".

Lal Masjid is registered with Auqaf and is therefore allowed only worship-related activities, the notification stated.

Rejecting the notification, the Shuhada Foundation said that it will go on with the event as planned, insisting that the foundation was a registered entity.

It also accused the government of "deceiving the public" on the matter. It, however, did not comment on which entity the foundation was registered with.

The Foundation has also called a meeting after Eidul Fitr to determine a plan of action following the ban on its activities.

It has claimed that it is being "victimised", since all other religious and political parties are allowed to hold such events while only they are being prohibited from doing so.

Copies of the administration's notification have been forwarded to capital police officials and the personal secretary to the federal interior minister.

Annual commemorative events have been organised by the Shuhada Foundation in the past; however, since the PML-N government took charge in 2013, it has not been allowed to conduct these events.

Opinion

Editorial

Military convictions
Updated 22 Dec, 2024

Military convictions

Pakistan’s democracy, still finding its feet, cannot afford such compromises on core democratic values.
Need for talks
22 Dec, 2024

Need for talks

FOR a long time now, the country has been in the grip of relentless political uncertainty, featuring the...
Vulnerable vaccinators
22 Dec, 2024

Vulnerable vaccinators

THE campaign to eradicate polio from Pakistan cannot succeed unless the safety of vaccinators and security personnel...
Strange claim
Updated 21 Dec, 2024

Strange claim

In all likelihood, Pakistan and US will continue to be ‘frenemies'.
Media strangulation
Updated 21 Dec, 2024

Media strangulation

Administration must decide whether it wishes to be remembered as an enabler or an executioner of press freedom.
Israeli rampage
21 Dec, 2024

Israeli rampage

ALONG with the genocide in Gaza, Israel has embarked on a regional rampage, attacking Arab and Muslim states with...