Punjab Home Department lists organisations barred from collecting animal hides on Eidul Azha

The Punjab Home Department on Tuesday issued a list of banned and monitored organisations ahead of Eidul Azha, urging citizens not to donate sacrificial animal hides to such groups or their affiliated organisations.

According to a spokesperson for the department, “Providing any kind of assistance to banned organisations is a punishable offence under the Anti-Terrorism Act 1997.”

He further warned that individuals found supporting organisations involved in terrorism or anti-state activities would face legal action.

According to the list issued by the Home Department, the banned organisations included Lashkar-i-Jhangvi, Jaish-i-Mohammed, Lashkar-i-Taiba, Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan, Al Qaeda, Daesh, Jamaatud Dawa, Falah-i-Insaniat Foundation and several other proscribed or monitored entities.

“Citizens are advised to donate sacrificial hides only to organisations registered with the Punjab Charity Commission (PCC),” he said, adding that the authenticity of registered organisations could be verified through QR codes printed on their registration certificates.

The spokesperson said registration with the PCC was mandatory for charitable organisations operating in the province, while deputy commissioners (DCs) were authorised to issue permits for the collection of sacrificial hides by seminaries and welfare organisations.

He urged citizens to ensure that hides were handed over only to organisations with valid certificates issued either by the PCC or the relevant DC so that donations could reach deserving beneficiaries instead of banned outfits.

Additionally, the Punjab Home Department asked citizens to provide anonymous tips on the collection of any sacrificial hides by banned or monitored organisations through toll-free number 0800-11111 or the Punjab Charity Commission helplines 042-99330399 and 042-99330162.

Last week, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government imposed a complete ban on the collection of hides by banned outfits and non-governmental organisations across the district during Eidul Azha.

“In pursuance of the government order, I impose a complete ban on the use of loudspeakers for the collection of sacrificial hides and on establishing collection points anywhere in the district,” Mian Behzad Adil, the deputy commissioner, said in an official order.