Pakistan bans two militant outfits

The move to proscribe the Jamaat-ul-Ahrar and Lashkar-i-Jhangvi Al-Alami came after recent attacks on sectarian grounds in different parts of Pakistan were claimed by the two groups.

Islamabad: Pakistan government has banned two more militant outfits for their involvement in terrorist activities across the country, an official said.

The move to proscribe the Jamaat-ul-Ahrar and Lashkar-i-Jhangvi Al-Alami came after recent attacks on sectarian grounds in different parts of the country were claimed by the two groups, Dawn quoted a senior official on Friday.

A spokesman for the Interior Ministry confirmed the development and said that the decision was made a few days ago.

Referring to a revised list of banned organisations available on the website of the National Counter Terrorism Authority (Nacta), a senior official in Sindh`s security establishment said: "The two organisations were added to the banned outfits` list on November 11."

The updated list on Nacta website shows a total of 63 outfits that have been proscribed by the federal government.

"The latest addition came after series of investigations led to the fact that the two militant groups were actively involved in the terrorism activities mostly on sectarian grounds. Karachi has also witnessed a recent surge in attacks on sectarian grounds executed mostly by the Lashkar-i-Jhangvi Al Alami."