KARACHI, Jan 25 (News Agencies) - The central State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has directed banks here to freeze Osama bin Laden's assets in line with fresh United Nations sanctions, bankers said Thursday.
"In view of the U.N. sanctions you are advised to take necessary action to freeze the funds of Osama bin Laden and his organization, Al-Qaida, as mentioned in the U.N. Security Council resolution," the SBP said in a letter to banks and financial institutions.
It advised them to furnish details of the frozen funds, if any, by the end of this month.
The Security Council resolution adopted in December came into effect last week after the Taliban militia, which rules neighboring Afghanistan, refused to allow bin Laden to be extradited.
The Saudi born millionaire is wanted for allegedly masterminding the twin bombings of U.S. embassies in East Africa in 1998, which killed more than 220 people.
Other political measures were imposed against the Taliban, who consider bin Laden a hero of Islam.
Pakistan is one of only three countries that recognizes the Taliban regime.
Local Islamist groups with close links to the Taliban have sharply criticized the sanctions, which Pakistan has reluctantly promised to enforce.
"Such circulars to Pakistani banks are highly condemnable," pro-Taliban Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam party provincial chief Khalid Soomro said.
