The National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA) issued the updated list on March 4, which puts Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ), Sipah-e-Muhammad Pakistan (SMP), Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM), Laskar-e-Tayyiba (LeT), Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan (SSP) and others on the top.
The list is prepared by NACTA based on the notifications issued by Ministry of Interior.
Four organisations, including Jamaat-ul-Da'awa (JuD) and Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation (FIF), have placed on watch list by Ministry of Interior u/s 11-D-(1) r/w Schedule-II, ATA 1997.
The government under section 11-B of Anti Terrorism Act can declare an organisation believed to be concerned with terrorism as a Proscribed Organisation or put it under surveillance.
However, news surface during almost every election year regarding members of mainstream political parties seeking support from these banned outfits.
Last year, Finance Minister Asad Umer had announced that the founder of banned Harkat-ul-Mujahideen Maulana Fazlur Rehman Khalil had joined the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), drawing condemnation.
Terrorism analyst Bill Roggio questioned the latest crackdown against banned outfits, considering that Rehman Khalil is part of the ruling party.
Now that's a crackdown! Maulana Fazlur Rehman Khalil, the founder of the banned Harkat-ul Mujahideen who signed Al Qaeda/Osama bin Laden's 1998 fatwa against “Crusaders and Zionists," join the the PTI, the ruling political party of Imran Khan. https://t.co/ydNIed4tO9
— Bill Roggio (@billroggio) March 6, 2019
Similarly, President Arif Alvi had met Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) leaders to seek support in elections.
SC issues hard-hitting detailed verdict in TLP’s sit-in case (Dawn February 07, 2019)
PTI's Dr. Arif Alvi meets TLP leaders to seek support for presidential election (Daily Times Aug 2018) #FaizabadDharnaCase #SupremeCourt pic.twitter.com/zrH8SapDZn
— Aamir Mughal (@mughalbha) February 7, 2019
Moreover, a member of militant Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat Muavia Azam had announced support for the PTI during elections of provincial assembly.
MPA Muavia Azam will support PTI in Provincial assembly # SpokesPerson pic.twitter.com/0JMAgBd2kj
— ASWJ Official (@ASWJPak) August 2, 2018
State Interior Minister Shehryar Afridi, who is to head the crackdown against militants, was seen meeting with the members of Jamaat ud Dawa and extending the ruling party's support to them.
Minister of State for Interior Shehryar Afridi telling Hafiz Saeed’s party that till PTI is in power no one can touch Hafiz Saeed & LeT/JuD/MML & that they will ensure MML’s registration as a political party.
Terrorism & Govt are one and the same now. pic.twitter.com/A5QO2yCUFp
— Gul Bukhari (@GulBukhari) December 17, 2018
Railways Minister Sheikh Rasheed also has a history of associating with the extremist groups.
with hafiz saeed sahab and mujeeb ur rehman shami pic.twitter.com/lXlx5Rtq6G
— Sheikh Rashid Ahmad (@ShkhRasheed) December 29, 2013
There are also pictures of local leaders of the ruling party making contacts with the banned outfits.
Faisal Jibwana had met both Sipah-e-Sahaba chief Ahmed Ludhianvi and Muavia Azam Tariq.
PP-125 Jhang MPA-elect Faisal Jibwana, who recently joined #PTI, meets terrorist outfit #SipaheSahaba/#ASWJ chief Ahmed Ludhianvi and Muavia Azam Tariq... pic.twitter.com/X817BwzCqL
— Bilal Farooqi (@bilalfqi) August 2, 2018
Hamza Ali Abbasi, PTI supporter and close aide of Imran Khan, had shared a picture with Hafiz Saeed, saying that Saeed is the most "misunderstood" man in Pakistan who preaches "tolerance".
One of the nicest most polite ppl i have met who promotes religious tolerance & humanity. He is also, unfortunately, the most misunderstood man in Pakistan right now. Had the pleasure of interviewing him again to clarify the propaganda abt him. Watch it on Monday at 8pm on BOL. pic.twitter.com/rLqEF1Naxq
— Hamza Ali Abbasi (@iamhamzaabbasi) December 31, 2017
Moreover, Pakistan Rangers had also distributed cheques of Rs1,000 to Tehreek-e-Labaik protesters after they had staged a sit-in at Faizabad Interchange in Islamabad, practically paralysing life in the twin cities.
Pakistan Rangers Punjab DG Maj-Gen Azhar Naveed hands out envelopès with a token Rs1000 as goodwill to members of Tehrik Labbaik Ya Rasul Allah who were recently released from detention following the government's agreement with the protesters pic.twitter.com/hQMLdZsxqW
— omar r quraishi (@omar_quraishi) November 27, 2017