Islamabad: The Government of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) yesterday (Dec 4, 2003) banned six militant outfits proscribed by Pakistan recently, while President Pervez Musharraf said his Government would not permit the banned groups to resurface.

Official media reports from PoK said the local Government has banned the six 'jihadi' groups including the Khadaam-ul-Islam (KuI) led by former Jaish chief Masood Azhar with immediate effect and put the Jamat-ud-Dawa, the parent outfit of the banned Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) on the watch list.

The other banned outfits included Sunni extremist group Millat-e-Islamia Pakistan, Khadaam-ul-Islam, Islami Tehreek Pakistan, Jammat-ul- Furqan, breakaway group of KuI, Jamaat-ul-Insaar and Hizb-ul- Tehreer.

All these outfits were banned by Pakistan Government two weeks ago. Most of them were banned last year, but resurfaced with new names. According to a PoK Home Department notification, these organisations shall be sealed and their accounts frozen.

The notification said all literature, posters, printing, electronic and digital materials shall be seized. Besides, publication, printing or dissemination of any press statements, press conferences or public utterances by or on behalf of or in support of a proscribed organisation shall be banned.

Meanwhile, Musharraf told a conference of Islamic clerics that his Government was determined to root out extremism and militancy from Pakistan and sought cooperation from the Ulema and Islamic scholars for this purpose.

Addressing a meeting of specially invited clerics from all over the country, he said the ban on extremist groups promoting militancy was a decision taken in the national interest after thorough consultations.

"It was not taken at the behest of any foreign influence," he said.

He added that the banned militant organisations would not be allowed to resurface under any new name. He urged the clerics to use their mosques and institutions to inspire and educate the masses about the impacts of militancy and extremism on the country, both internally and internationally.

Stating that Pakistan's image suffered due to the existence of the extremist groups, he said no country could develop in isolation, as all countries are interdependent.

PTI