Interior ministry notifies ban on JUI-F’s ‘militant wing’ – Pakistan

The Interior Ministry issued a notification on Thursday announcing the ban on the "militant wing" of Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F).

The ban on Ansar-ul-Islam, which the ministry referred to as a "private militia / Razakar Force" of the JUI-F, occurs days before the party led by Maulana Fazlur Rehman is scheduled to lead a march anti-government & # 39; Azadi March & # 39 ;.

According to the notification, the federal government had "reasons to believe that Ansar-ul-Islam is capable of functioning as a military organization, in violation of the prohibition contained in article 256 of the Constitution."

The prohibition was imposed after the approval of the federal government and obtaining the consent of the four provincial governments under Article 146 (1) of the Constitution, which allows the federal government to delegate any of its powers to the provinces, conditionally or unconditionally , with the consent of the provincial governments.

Through notification, the federal government through the Ministry of Interior has "entrusted[ed] provincial governments have the power to take appropriate measures under Section 2 of the Private Military Organizations (Abolition and Prohibition) Act, 1974, against Ansar-ul-Islam. "

The authority will include, among others, "the power to abolish / prohibit such organization and take additional measures against them on the ground" to complete the action, according to the notice.

Earlier this week, the federal cabinet approved a summary that seeks to ban Ansar-ul-Islam, cabinet division sources said.