Following the London bombings, Pakistani security forces are intensifying their crackdown on outlawed religious organizations. So far over 300 Pakistanis have been arrested, and more arrests are expected, reports the Pakistani daily The Nation.
“They have been arrested because they were spreading hatred… which was causing unrest in society,” said Interior Minister Aftab Khan Sherpao, adding that the arrests under anti-terrorism laws would continue.
Security forces raided madrasas (religious schools) and other sites following President Pervez Musharraf’s declaration of “zero tolerance” for those who “spread violence and hatred.”
In Punjab, more than 100 people suspected of belonging to various banned religious organizations were arrested on Wednesday. Due to fears of arrests, most of the leaders and activists of various religious organizations have gone underground.
Police sources said that the crackdown will also target collection of donations, display of arms, and sale of hate material in markets. “No one would be allowed to brandish weapons and sell objectionable material in markets and public places,” said a security official.
The agencies have also been directed to make videos of religious congregations. “The law enforcement agencies have been asked to collect information about the active workers of outlawed organizations, their whereabouts, connections with religious parties and sources of funding they received from outside the country,” said the sources.
Pakistan is denying that the arrests are being made in response to international pressure.