RAWALPINDI: The Gilgit-Baltistan government has sought Federal Investigation Agency (FIA)’s help to trace money trails of two nationalist organisations operating from Washington and Belgium to create unrest in the province.

The Sanga and Hameed groups have been transferring money from Washington and Belgium,

respectively, through a branchless money system located in Rawalpindi for distribution among university students in Punjab and Karachi to influence them to join their group (Baltistan Movement).

The issue was raised by Inspector General of Police GB Sabir Ahmed at a meeting with the authorities of the National Counter-Terrorism Authority (Nacta) in Islamabad on Friday.

The IGP informed Nacta that the social media cell of Abdul Hameed Khan Group operating from Belgium had been involved in a negative propaganda against the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

The groups have been transferring money from Washington and Belgium, says IGP

External hands are also active in their efforts to sabotage CPEC projects, he added.

Since CPEC passes through GB with a number of tunnels, the police have been keeping a strict vigilance on the CPEC-related projects in the region, the IGP said.

He said due to political activities in Gilgit-Baltistan, incidents of sectarian clashes had declined as people were more active in political activities.

According to sources, the police have already requested the FIA’s Interpol wing for the issuance of red notices against Abdul Hameed Khan and his associate Sher Nadir Shahi who have been operating from Belgium.

However, their movement does not enjoy a good reputation among the people of the area.

Police have already arrested 12 members of Khan’s group and claimed to have recovered a large quantity of arms, foreign currency, vehicles, literature and other items related to the movement.

Some of the members of Khan’s group have been placed on the fourth schedule of Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) for their unlawful activities.

Since there is no proper set-up of the FIA in Gilgit-Baltistan, the IGP also sought powers to deal with white collar crimes in the area.

He informed Nacta that the Special Protection Unit (SPU), comprising 700 personnel, had already been established in GB while the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) would be made operational by June 2018 to check terrorism related activities.

He informed the federal government that GB would also launch a safe city project in the near future.

The territorial dispute over Diamer Basha Dam amongst the tribesman of KP and GB also came under discussion with Nacta.

The meeting was informed that some elements in the district of Diamer were allegedly getting money from a sectarian organisation based in Afghanistan.

The IGP requested the authorities concerned to deploy Gilgit-Baltistan Scouts at the Wakhan border for better security and protection of the area.

Published in Dawn, May 26th, 2018