FIF's media coverage banned to immobilise its fundraising, IHC told.

Byline: Malik Asad

ISLAMABAD -- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed the Islamabad High Court (IHC) that Falah-i-Insaniat Foundation (FIF) - an offshoot of Jamatud Dawa - was among organisations on the watch list of the United Nations (UN) and a ban on its media coverage was imposed to immobilise its fundraising.

In its reply submitted to the IHC in response to a petition filed by FIF against the ban on its media coverage, the ministry stated: 'Placing a ban on any kind of media coverage is intended to prevent the generation of funds and donations through media advertisement and coverage of these organisations which is a violation of the asset freeze requirement under UNSC 1267 sanctions.'

Justice Aamer Farooq of the IHC on Friday reserved his decision on the petition after hearing the counsel for the foreign ministry, Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra), Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the petitioner.

The government earlier this year banned Jamatud Dawa (JuD) through a presidential ordinance and issued directions for banning the media coverage of FIF.

The foreign ministry said: 'Implementation of the decision of UN Security Council (UNSC) taken under Article 41 of the United Nations Charter is an international obligation from...