LAHORE: Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari revealed that authorities have frozen 95 bank accounts and seized properties linked to Saad Rizvi, with additional undisclosed assets being targeted.
As part of a broader crackdown, the leadership of the religious organization has been categorized into three levels to facilitate ongoing operations.
During a press briefing at DGPR, Bokhari detailed the group’s violent tactics, including hijacking police vehicles, brandishing weapons, attacking law enforcement with stones and stolen firearms, and damaging surveillance infrastructure like Safe City cameras to erase evidence. Recent raids in Muridke resulted in three civilian deaths, 48 injuries, and 118 police personnel wounded. Moreover, eight police vehicles were stolen during clashes.
The organization is accused of amassing millions of rupees under the pretext of promoting Islam. Authorities have recovered gold, silver, and unregistered properties from Rizvi’s residence. Additionally, a propaganda unit was uncovered, which allegedly threatened journalists and politicians.
The Punjab government has taken control of over 330 mosques and geo-tagged 223 religious schools (madrasas). The management of these madrasas will be transferred to scholars from the Ahle Sunnat wal Jamaat. A dedicated prosecution team has been formed, and efforts are ongoing to arrest 33 individuals involved in terrorism cases.
Azma Bokhari dismissed rumors of mosque demolitions or grave relocations, clarifying that the operation targets extremist ideologies, not sectarian groups. She further advised the federal government to ban the organization altogether.
The minister also accused overseas PTI members of fomenting unrest, describing the group and PTI’s international branch as “two sides of the same coin.” She warned that anyone providing financial or other support to the group would face terrorism-related charges.
