Pakistani authorities on Thursday announced the creation of a dedicated “red notice cell” to pursue nationals abroad accused of sponsoring militant activity, as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Quetta amid heightened security measures.
Sharif landed in the Balochistan capital earlier in the day, where he was received by Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti. The city was placed under heavy security, with traffic suspended, markets closed and movement severely restricted.
Residents said the shutdown of businesses and roads caused widespread disruption and left people struggling to carry out daily activities.
‘Red Notice Cell’ Announced
The initiative was unveiled at a press conference in Quetta by senior Pakistani officials, who said the cell would coordinate the legal process required to seek Interpol red notices against individuals accused of aiding armed groups from abroad.
“Our red notice cell has also been activated, lists for red notices have already been prepared,” Additional Chief Secretary Hamza Shafqaat said.
“There are more than 100 individuals currently outside Pakistan who are conspiring against the country — they are lobbying, promoting and sponsoring terrorist activities in Pakistan,” he added.
Shafqaat said the government would first approach lower courts before submitting the names of suspects to the interior ministry for onward transmission to Interpol.
An Interpol Red Notice is an international request circulated to trace and provisionally detain a suspect for possible extradition. It alerts law enforcement agencies in all INTERPOL member states that a person is wanted, and that the requesting country seeks their return.
Although often described as an international arrest warrant, it does not carry the force of one; each state decides how to respond based on its own laws.
A red notice typically includes the individual’s identity, details of the alleged offence, the case reference and the legal grounds for the request. Photographs and supporting documents may also be attached. Its central purpose is to ensure the temporary detention of a suspect until extradition proceedings can be initiated.
However, the issuance of a red notice does not establish guilt. Rights groups and legal analysts note that some governments have misused the mechanism to target political opponents, journalists and dissidents abroad.