Along with the organisation, the ban would apply on Saeed as well. Pakistan has also approved a list of terrorist organisations prepared by the United Nations which seeks a ban on the named organisations. The list contains names of 27 such organisations which will no longer be allowed to operate from Pakistan.

Named as the amended Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), 1997, the ordinance also gives the authorities permission to seal the offices of these banned organisations and freeze their assets as well as bank accounts.

The move seems to have been motivated by business interests as well with Pakistan gearing up for the upcoming Financial Action Task Force (FATF) meeting in Paris where Pakistan was rumoured to have been placed on the grey list. Countries placed on grey lists face difficulties in conducting international financial transactions thus making the country an unattractive place to do business.

But even if the move was motivated by business interests, it still is welcome news. Last time that Pakistan was placed on the grey list was in 2012 where it stayed for three years.

The Pakistan Police on Monday removed barricades placed by members of Saeed's Jamaat-ud-Dawah outside the group's headquarters. The blockade had been set up over a decade ago for security purposes.

DIG (Lahore) Dr Haider Ashraf said, "We have removed blockades from 26 places including JuD headquarters in accordance with the Supreme Court's orders.

Saeed had approached the UNSC to remove him from the list of designated terrorists but the UNSC rejected his petition.