ISLAMABAD: Pakistani authorities have frozen over 5,100 accounts of terror suspects, including
Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar , under the
Anti-Terrorism Act
(ATA), local media reported on Monday.
According to officials, these accounts carry a net amount of over Rs 400 million. "The names of around 1,200 of these suspects, whose accounts were frozen by the State Bank of
Pakistan (SBP), were listed in category 'A' of the ATA, a term used for terrorists who pose an exceptional or high risk," officials said.
"
Masood Azhar
's name was listed in category 'A'," officials were quoted by The News as saying. The officials said the Pak government had put Azhar under "protective custody" after terrorists attacked the
Pathankot airbase in January.
"Following the request of the ministry of interior, we have frozen accounts of all top suspected terrorists, including Masood Azhar, son of Allah Bux," the officials said.
Ihsan Ghani, national coordinator,
National Counterterrorism Authority
, confirmed to The News that over 5,000 accounts had been frozen.