Lead
With Eidul Azha set to be observed in Pakistan on May 27, the Punjab government has taken two distinct sets of measures. The Home Department has issued an advisory against donating sacrificial animal hides to banned organisations, while a separate notification enforces a province-wide ban on activities deemed injurious to public health and peace during the holiday period.
Coverage Comparison
Two reports from Dawn, Pakistan's leading English-language daily, detail the provincial government's actions. One report focuses on the security and counter-terrorism dimensions, highlighting the list of proscribed organisations and the legal consequences of supporting them. The other report outlines the public health and safety regulations imposed under Section 144. Both are based on official announcements from the Punjab Home Department, with one report citing a departmental spokesperson and the other relying on an official notification.
Key Claims
The Punjab Home Department has released a list of organisations that are banned or under monitoring. According to a spokesperson quoted by Dawn, citizens are urged not to donate sacrificial animal hides to these groups or any affiliated entities. The list reportedly includes Lashkar-i-Jhangvi, Jaish-i-Mohammed, Lashkar-i-Taiba, Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan, Al Qaeda, Daesh, Jamaatud Dawa, and Falah-i-Insaniat Foundation, among others.
Providing any assistance to banned organisations is a punishable offence under the Anti-Terrorism Act 1997, the spokesperson said, warning that individuals supporting groups involved in terrorism or anti-state activities would face legal action.
Citizens are advised to donate hides only to organisations registered with the Punjab Charity Commission (PCC), which has made registration mandatory for all charitable bodies operating in the province. The authenticity of registered organisations can be verified through QR codes on their registration certificates, according to the spokesperson. Deputy commissioners are authorised to issue permits for hide collection by seminaries and welfare organisations. The Home Department has also provided contact numbers, including a toll-free tip line (0800-11111) and PCC helplines, for citizens to report any collection of hides by banned or monitored groups.
The separate notification, dated May 19, invokes Section 144 (6) of the Code of Criminal Procedure for the period May 27 to June 2. It prohibits several activities, including the burning of sacrificial animal heads and feet in public places, which the department said generates "unhealthy smoke" and unpleasant odours. Also banned are swimming or bathing in rivers, lakes, dams, canals, and other water bodies, due to the risk to life. Throwing offal or entrails of sacrificial animals into manholes, drainage channels, or canals is prohibited as it leads to unsanitary conditions and sewerage blockages. Additionally, the sale or purchase of sacrificial animals outside notified cattle markets is disallowed, as illegal sale points in populated areas hinder traffic and may spread diseases.
Perspectives
The government's actions reflect a dual concern: preventing funds from reaching militant groups and ensuring public safety and hygiene during the holiday. The hide donation advisory aligns with ongoing counter-terrorism efforts, as similar measures have been taken in other provinces. Last week, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government imposed a complete ban on hide collection by banned outfits and NGOs, as reported by Dawn.
The Section 144 restrictions address recurring issues that arise during Eidul Azha, such as pollution, traffic disruption, and drowning incidents. By regulating where hides can be processed and animals sold, the government aims to mitigate these problems.
No sources have disputed the official announcements, though the reports are based solely on government statements. As with all such measures, the effectiveness of the bans will depend on enforcement and public cooperation.