RAWALPINDI: The district police and intelligence agencies have recommended placing 14 activists of the banned Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) on the fourth schedule of Anti-Terrorism Act 1997 due to their alleged involvement in recent violent protests in the district.

According to sources, the recommendation would be placed at the district intelligence committee’s meeting and later the home department will issue a notification.

A senior official said since the organisation had been banned, their offices could be sealed and assets frozen under the law and their CNICs could be blocked.

In Rawalpindi district, 13 FIRs have been registered with the police while 176 individuals have been arrested. In addition to the arrests, 58 individuals have been detained in the Adiala jail.

On the other hand, none of the TLP workers detained under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) by the Rawalpindi district administration was released from Adiala jail on Thursday. On Wednesday, 39 TLP activists detained from Islamabad had been released from the jail.

The individuals placed on the fourth schedule of ATA 1997 are being closely monitored by the police and intelligence due to their links with proscribed organisations or involvement in harmful activities.

After issuance of notification by the home department, the names of such persons placed on the fourth schedule are also referred to police and law enforcement agencies.The TLP has been declared a banned outfit by the government when it staged countrywide violent demonstrations demanding eviction of the French ambassador over blasphemous caricatures.

During recent violent protests, more than 116 police personnel, including Rangers, had been injured while one police vehicle was damaged. The police had arrested 235, including 58 protesters, under various charges.

The government has decided to release all those individuals who had been detained under MPO. However, those arrested on criminal charges or under ATA would be facing trialin the courts of law.

Published in Dawn, April 23rd, 2021