May 20, 2003	Tuesday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 17, 1424

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ISLAMABAD, May 19: Interior Minister Faisal Saleh Hayat said on Monday that Pakistan has banned the activities of Hizbul Mujahideen, but there was no restriction on the movement of its leaders and activists in the country.

Talking to Dawn, he said that there was no restriction on the movement of the Hizbul Mujahideen’s leaders and activists, but they could not conduct their organizational activities in the country.

He said the government had banned the activities of seven Kashmir freedom fighter organizations including the Hizb.

Replying to a question regarding participation of the supreme commander of the Hizbul Mujahideen, Syed Salahuddin, in a function held in Rawalpindi where he also talked to the press, the minister said action would be taken against the Hizb for violating country’s laws.

Mr Hayat said the government of Azad Jammu and Kashmir had already imposed a ban on the entry of Hizb’s leaders in the AJK.

On the other hand, Mr Salahuddin had announced to continue ‘Jihad’ against brutalities and mass scale atrocities of Indian occupation forces in the held Kashmir.

He had said that his organization would not accept any international pressure or from Pakistan to stop the freedom movement.