The Ministry of Interior has forwarded a summary to the federal cabinet, seeking a ban on the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam’s Asarul Islam force under Article 256 and Section 2 of the Private Military Organization Act 1974.
The development was confirmed by the government’s mouthpiece Firdous Ashiq Awan.
The interior ministry has been empowered under Article 146 for consultations with the province and will delegate powers to the units after consultation.
According to an intelligence report, the JUI-F has constituted an ‘armed wing’ named Ansarul Islam ahead of the anti-government march on Oct 27.
“It seems the uniformed force intends to challenge the writ of the state and witnessed preparing for a confrontation with the law enforcement agencies,” the summary said, adding the force was 80,000-strong.
There is an apprehension of worsening the law and order situation during the ‘Azadi March’,” the summary said.
“Formation of Ansarul Islam as an armed force is a violation of Article 256 of the Constitution,” the summary said.
It is not improbable that Ansarul Islam militia might have arms and its activities could pose a threat to peace in Islamabad as well as in provinces, the summary said.
Article 256 prohibits the formation of an armed organization. The National Action Plan doesn’t permit an armed outfit, the summary further argued.
