Pakistan removes sectarian group leader from terrorist watchlist

Pakistan has removed the name of sectarian group leader Muhammad Ahmed Ludhianvi from a terrorist watchlist.

According to media reports, Ludhianvi is the leader of Ahl-e-Sunnat Wal Jamaat (ASWJ), a radical Sunni group. One of the ASWJ's offshoots is the Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, which has been responsible for killing hundreds of people in Pakistan, many of them minority Shi'ite Muslims, in a series of terror attacks.

The interim government in Pakistan has said in its order that now the Election Commission of Pakistan has the option of allowing or not allowing the ASWJ to contest the general elections in the country on July 25.

The ASWJ is fielding many candidates for the elections.

Punjab province interim Chief Minister Hasan Askari Rizvi, confirming the news, said Ludhianvi's assets would be unfrozen and he would be free to travel.

(ANI)