Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz presided over a high-level security meeting on Wednesday. She received a comprehensive briefing on a major crackdown against a proscribed extremist organization. Authorities reported the freezing of assets worth Rs23.4 billion belonging to the outfit’s office-bearers.
The briefing detailed that in Lahore alone, 92 bank accounts and all associated digital wallets have been blocked. Law enforcement has also registered cases against nine key financiers of the banned group. Security agencies further confirmed the recovery of modern illegal weapons, thousands of rounds of ammunition, and bulletproof jackets during coordinated raids.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz directed that the ongoing combing operations against extremist elements continue “without any interruption.” She also received a report on legal actions against anti-state content online. 31 First Information Reports (FIRs) have been registered across Lahore regarding such material on social media.
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The Punjab government has decided to formally request federal authorities to initiate parallel actions against the banned outfit in other provinces. They are seeking a nationwide enforcement approach.
The meeting reviewed significant progress in the voluntary registration of mosque clerics. Officials reported distributing over 61,000 registration forms across the province, with more than 50,000 imams voluntarily submitting their details. The Chief Minister expressed satisfaction that the registration process has reached 82% completion.
During the review, Maryam Nawaz issued clear instructions that imams must be treated with respect and not harassed. “Imams lead prayers; we do not want to see them forced to collect donations by stretching out their hands,” she stated.
