RAWALPINDI: As many as 123 individuals affiliated with banned outfits have been placed on the Fourth Schedule of ATA 1997 in Rawalpindi division.

Of the 123 fourth schedulers, 51 have been placed on the watch list in Rawalpindi district, 32 in Attock, four in Jhelum and 36 in Chakwal districts.

According to sources, out of the 51 fourth schedulers, the Rawalpindi district police have obtained surety bonds from 50 suspects so far, however, the process of obtaining the surety bond from the remaining ones was in progress.

Of the 32 individuals who have been placed on the watch list in Attock, the district police have obtained surety bonds from 28 suspects. However, one of the suspects has died, another has been jailed while another one has been declared a proclaimed offender (PO). The process of obtaining surety bond from one individual is under process.

In Jhelum district, four suspects have been placed on the Fourth Schedule and surety bonds had been obtained from all of them.

Likewise, Chakwal district police have obtained surety bonds from 36 suspects who had been placed on the fourth schedule.

According to sources the Special Branch had instructed the district police to get fresh surety bonds from all such individuals placed on the watch list.

Under the ATA 1997, every individual whose name is placed on the Fourth Schedule is bound to inform the police before leaving his permanent residence and upon his return.

In addition to it, such individuals who had been placed on the Fourth Schedule are also bound to submit “surety bonds” to the relevant police station guaranteeing their peaceful conduct, otherwise, they would be booked by the local police under relevant section of the Anti-Terrorism Act.

A senior police officer told Dawn that there was no standard operating procedure (SOP) in place to put the name of every individual who had been arrested by police under sections of anti-terrorism act, on the Fourth Schedule list.

He said the Divisional Intelligence Committee (DIC) decided whether to place a suspect’s name on the Fourth Schedule depending upon the nature of his case and the background of the accused.

The police have also been closely monitoring activities of all those suspects who had been placed on the Fourth Schedule and regularly checked their presence at their permanent addresses.

In addition to it, the police have also been empowered to question their finances on suspicion and also to obtain surety bonds for their peaceful conduct.

The name of a suspect is usually placed on the watch list for a period of three years, however, the time duration can be extended if recommended by the intelligence authorities and police.

Published in Dawn, May 16th, 2024