RAWALPINDI: The Punjab government has directed the Counter Terrorism Department and the police to investigate the assets of Imtiaz Ali ‘Taji’ Khokar to ascertain his assets and sources of income are legitimate and being spent on lawful objectives.

Mr Khokar’s name has already been placed on the Fourth Schedule of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), and been notified by the government.

The order from the provincial government stated: “Execute a bond for his good behaviour and not to involve in any act of terrorism or in any manner advance the objectives of any organisation with one or more sureties not less than Rs 500,000 to the satisfaction of the city police officer Rawalpindi,” the provincial government order said.

Govt orders police to obtain surety bond, monitor Khokhar and his son’s activities since their inclusion on Fourth Schedule

Mr Khokhar and his son Farrukh Imtiaz Khokhar have been placed on the Fourth Schedule by the Islamabad administration, and under the relevant section they cannot be listed again from another district.

They were placed on the Fourth Schedule on Nov 14, 2018.

The Punjab government has now told the Rawalpindi police to obtain a surety bond from Mr Khokhar, and asked the police to submit his passport with the station house officer (SHO) of the relevant area.

Mr Khokhar has been directed to submit his original passport with the SHO of his residential area before leaving his permanent residence for any period of time, and to keep the SHO informed of his whereabouts, the areas he will be visiting and the people he will meet.

The police have also been directed to inform Mr Khokhar not to visit any location without written permission from the officer in-charge of the police station in whose jurisdiction the place is situated.

Anyone placed on the Fourth Schedule is bound to provide surety bonds to the police for good behaviour and peaceful conduct after being released from jail. They are also bound to inform the police before leaving their hometowns and upon their return.

Since their names have been placed on the Fourth Schedule, the Rawalpindi regional police officer has directed the city police officer to monitor Mr Khokhar and his son due to their alleged involvement in heinous crimes and land-grabbing.

Mr Khokhar and his son were booked by the police in the murder of Sabira Bibi at the Airport police station on Aug 17, 2012. The trial court sentenced one person to death and three others to life in person, while Mr Khokhar and his son were acquitted by the additional district and sessions judge.

Raja Mohammad Yaqoob, Sabira’s husband, has filed four appeals against the court judgement before the Lahore High Court Rawalpindi bench.

The government said this order shall remain in force for three years from the date of issuance. Mr Khokhar or anyone else aggrieved by the order can file a review petition before the government within 30 days of the notification of the order.

Published in Dawn, January 3rd, 2019