| Pakistan freezes bank accounts of Islamic rebel groups |
Pakistan has frozen the assets of two groups on a US list of organisations and individuals allegedly linked with terrorism.
The central bank has ordered banks across the country to act against the Harkat-ul-Mujahideen guerrilla group and Al-Rashid Trust charity.
They figure on a list released by George W Bush of 27 groups, charities and individuals with alleged links to Osama bin Laden.
Pakistani government spokesman Riaz Mohammad Khan says the interests of the country's banks would have been harmed if they had not taken action.
The Pakistan-based Harkat-ul-Mujahideen, which is active in Indian Kashmir, says Islamabad's decision will not affect its operations against the Indian forces.
"Pakistan's decision taken under the US dictates will not affect our freedom struggle being carried on in the occupied territory (Indian side of Kashmir). Rather we will intensify our operations against the occupation forces," Harkat spokesman Amiruddin Mughal said in a statement published in Pakistan's Dawn newspaper.
"However, it is painful for us that the accounts have been seized in a country where the government claims that it is extending political, moral and diplomatic support to the just cause of the Kashmiris."
Story filed: 10:16 Friday 28th September 2001
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