US sanctions Pakistani-based 'terrorist leaders, facilitators'

WASHINGTON, May 11 (KUNA) -- The US implemented sanctions on three individuals and one entity based in Pakistan on Thursday to "disrupt the leadership" of Jamaat ul Dawa Al Quran (JDQ), the Taliban, Al Qaeda, Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LT), and the so called Islamic State (IS).
Specifically the actions targeted, Hayat Ullah Ghulam Muhammad, Ali Muhammad Abu Turab, Inayat ur Rahman, and a purported charity managed by Inayat ur Rahman, the Welfare and Development Organization of Jamaat-ud-Dawah for Quran and Sunnah (WDO), according to a statement from the US Treasury.
"The United States continues to aggressively target extremists in Pakistan and the surrounding region, including charities and other front groups used as vehicles to facilitate illicit terrorist activities," said Director of Foreign Assets Control John Smith.
Hayat Ullah Ghulam Muhammad is a senior JDQ leader who has provided weapons and financial support to IS while also recruiting for the group.
Abu Turab was a JDQ facilitator who worked to provide thousands of dollars to its leadership. His fundraising efforts were used by the Taliban to train fighters who were sent to Afghanistan.
Rahman is a "long-time leader" of JDQ and worked on expanding extremists' influence in northeastern Afghanistan. In 2014 he provided financial support, weapons, and transportation to LT, as well as funded three LT training centers. He has also provided support to the Taliban.
Finally, the Treasury designated the Welfare and Development Organization of Jamaat-Ud-Dawah for Quran and Sunnah (WDO) for being controlled by Rahman.
"WDO ostensibly collects money for charity, but in reality funds insurgent activities. WDO was used to collect intelligence and conduct logistical work in support of Afghan militant operations," the statement said.
As a result of these sanctions, "all property and interests in property of these persons subject to US jurisdiction are blocked, and US persons are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions with them," the Treasury affirmed. (end) ak.ibi