ISLAMABAD, Jan 14: Action will be taken under the anti-terrorism law against religious groups and no banned party could operate under any other name, says a press release issued by the federal government on Monday.

The government reproduced certain sections of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) as amended on Aug 14, 2001, to remind the outlawed parties that action against them would be taken under the Anti-Terrorism Act.

The ATA allows all the banned parties to file review petitions before the competent authority against the government decision. Even if the decision is not reviewed, the party could approach the federal government for lifting of the ban after three years from the date of proscription, and the government, if satisfied with the explanation of the party, may lift the ban.

The government said it could take the following measures against the banned organizations:

Among measures likely to be taken by the federal government are, a) their offices, if any, shall be sealed; 2) accounts, if any, shall be frozen; c) all literature, posters, banners, or printed, electronic, digital or other material shall be seized; and d) publication, printing or dissemination of any press statement, press conferences or public utterances by or on behalf of or in support of a proscribed organization shall be prohibited.

The proscribed outfits shall submit all accounts of their income and expenditure for their political and social activities and disclose all funding sources to the competent authority designated by the federal government.

In another statement, a spokesman for the Interior Ministry stated that a section of the Press had carried the statement of a leader of a banned sectarian party that his party would operate under a new name. He said the Section 11(B) of the ATA prohibited the activities of a proscribed organization, even if it operated under a different name.

He also reminded the Press that Section 11E of the ATA which prohibited publication, printing or dissemination of any statement on behalf of proscribed party, were prohibited and any violation was punishable.

The spokesman, however, did not mention the exception under which a “factual news report,” made in good faith, could not be construed as projection (of any person or organization).

The proscribed parties may apply for the review of the decision within 30 days of the government order.