Crackdown ordered on proscribed outfits involved in raising funds.

Byline: Mohammad Asghar

RAWALPINDI -- The Punjab government has directed the police across the province to launch a crackdown on hate speech and fund raising by proscribed organisations and arrest those involved in such illegal activities.

Sources said some people were found collecting donations on Friday last but they were not doing so openly.

When contacted, City Police Officer (CPO) Mohammad Faisal Rana told Dawn that police had been looking for people collecting donations since Friday as there were intelligence reports that some people were involved in such activities secretly.

'No individual will be allowed to collect donations as police have planned to arrest anyone found involved in such an activity,' said the CPO, adding, however, that no case of hate speech was reported from any part of the Rawalpindi district on Friday.

Anyone found collecting donations will be arrested, CPO says

According to sources, the provincial authorities have directed the police to arrest any suspect found involved in hate speech and fund raising.

The police have also been directed to send reports to the provincial authorities if any arrest was made in their jurisdictions.

The police should give details, including name of the proscribed organisation, persons arrested for their involvement in hate speech or fund raising.

The inspector general of police (IGP) has sought a certificate from the city police and district police officers in case they were unable to make any arrest regarding hate speeches and fund collection by banned organisations.

Under the National Action Plan (NAP), the federal government has already imposed a ban on fund raising by proscribed organisations and hate speeches and directed...