In an unannounced police operation against proscribed organisations, especially in southern Punjab, scores of activists have been arrested. According to reports, in Rahimyar Khan, Bahawalpur, Multan, Bahawalnagar and Layyah districts, police conducted raids during the night and arrested dozens of activists who had now been shifted to unknown places.
DPO Bahawalnagar, Mehboob Rashid confirmed the arrest of five activists in his district and said more arrests are expected." According to another report, in a massive operation against the banned Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan (SSP), 22 offices of the outfit have been sealed and some 170 activists arrested. The SSP is allegedly operating under the new name of the Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat. The operation has been launched in Lahore, Multan, Sahiwal, Khanewal, Jhang, Bhakkar, Gujrat, Vehari and Rawalpindi and other cities.
Separately, Allama Ahmad Ludhianvi, the chief of the Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat strongly condemned the arrests. In a statement, he some organisations are playing games at the behest of foreign forces. He said unjustified arrests of his party workers had created an environment of tension in the country and provoked the party activists against the government's steps. "I have asked the government to identify terrorists in my party and they would be handed over to the authorities," he added. He urged the activists of his party to exercise restraint. Our correspondent adds from Bahawalpur: around 18 activists of the banned organisations have been arrested.
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