Pakistan issues order to seize assets of all banned terror outfits

Islamabad, Mar 5: The Pakistan government on Monday issued an order to streamline the process for implementation of sanctions against individuals and entities designated by the United Nations Security Council, said an official Foreign Office press statement.
The United Nations Security Council (Freezing and Seizure) Order, 2019, has been issued in accordance with the provisions of Pakistan’s United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Act, 1948.
“It may be recalled that the Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter authorises the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), acting under Article 41, to decide measures, not involving the use of armed force, to give effect to its decisions for the maintenance of international peace and security,” read the statement.
Interpreting the order, FO Spokesperson Dr Mohammad Faisal said it means that the government has taken over the control of all banned outfits operating in the country.
“From now onwards, all kinds of assets and properties of all banned terror organisations will be in the government’s control,” the spokesperson told Dawn.
“Over the years the sanctions regime of the United Nations Security Council has evolved, the FO noted, adding that a key measure of the UNSC sanctions regime against suspected terrorist individuals or entities is the “assets freeze” action under which states are required to freeze or seize the assets of designated entities and individuals “as soon as they are designated by the relevant UNSC Sanctions Committee”, the FO said.