RAWALPINDI: The Punjab Home Department has removed the names of four alleged workers of Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) from the fourth schedule of Anti-Terrorism Act, which brought the number of those on the watch list in Rawalpindi to 39.

With the addition of 18 people on the fourth schedule early this year, the number of the suspects in Rawalpindi had increased to 43.

However, the Home Department has now removed the names of four alleged workers of TLP from the list.

As many as 25 individuals from Rawalpindi district had already been placed on the fourth schedule.

One of the 25 individuals died due to illness.

The police have been watching closely all those individuals placed on the fourth schedule due to their possible links with proscribed organisations or involvement in harmful activities.

Of the 18 individuals recently placed on the watch list, four belonged to TLP, one each to Tehreek-i-Taliban (TTP) and ISIS, five to Tehreek-i-Jafaria Pakistan (TJP) and seven to Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat (ASWJ).

Of the four suspects whose names have been removed from the list, one each belonged to Gujar Khan, Wah Saddar, Saddar Barooni and Pirwadhai.

Any individual about whom either there is credible intelligence or information or who has a history of being linked to a proscribed organisation can be proscribed by the Home Department of a province under ATA 1997.

After the department issues a notification of such individuals, their names are placed on the fourth schedule and the list is referred to police and other law enforcement agencies.

A senior police official said the name of a suspect is usually placed on the watch list for a period of three years, however, the time duration could be extended if recommended by the intelligence or police.

He said the divisional intelligence committee (DIC) decides whether to place a suspect’s name on the watch list depending upon the nature of his case and the background of the suspect.

Every person whose name has been placed on the fourth schedule is bound to inform the police before leaving his permanent residence and upon his return.

In addition, such individuals are also bound to submit a surety bond to their concerned police station guaranteeing their peaceful conduct otherwise they are supposed to be booked by the police under the relevant section of the ATA.

Published in Dawn, February 27th, 2021