The Punjab government has decided to recommend to the federal government to place a ban on an extremist group.
According to reports, the decision was made during a high-level meeting on law and order chaired by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.
According to the official statement, authorities will arrest individuals involved in hate speech, incitement, and law violations across Punjab. The provincial government will ask the federal government to impose a ban on the extremist group and place its leadership under the Fourth Schedule of the Anti-Terrorism Act.
The statement said that cases will be filed against leaders and workers responsible for the killing of police officers and the destruction of public property. All properties and assets belonging to the extremist group will be handed over to the Auqaf Department, while the display of posters, banners, and advertisements of the group will be completely banned.
The meeting also decided to shut down the group’s social media accounts and freeze all its bank accounts. The government will take strict action against anyone violating the Loudspeaker Act.
The Punjab Home Department has issued a one-month deadline for citizens to surrender illegal weapons. People must register their licensed weapons at service centers within the same period. The government also decided to inspect the stock of arms dealers and manufacturers and imposed a complete ban on issuing new weapon licenses.
The Punjab government has recommended to the federal government that all weapon factories and manufacturers be regularized. It has also approved an increase in punishment for illegal weapon possession.
Holding illegal weapons in Punjab will now be a non-bailable offense, carrying a sentence of up to 14 years in prison and a fine of up to two million rupees.