No reference to an office of the Sipah-e-Sabiba (or Sipah-e-Sabaha) (SSP) in Sialkot could be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate. Two sources state, however, that the SSP had 500 offices in all of Punjab's districts, Pakistan (Dawn 11 Sept. 1997; Embassy of India June 2000). Both sources state that the group had over 100,000 workers (ibid.) in Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, Canada and England (Embassy of India June 2000). The Website of the Embassy of India in Cairo adds that the SSP's stronghold areas in Punjab were Sargodha, Bahawalpur, Jhang, Multan and Muzaffargarh (ibid.). According to SSP Chief, Ali Sher Haideri, the group's activities in Sindh were escalating and 500 new members had been admitted in the SSP at Umarkot (Sindh) (ibid.).

Additional information on the offices of the SSP in the Punjab could not be found. For information on the group, please consult PAK36420.E of 12 February 2001, PAK35860.E of 14 December 2000 and PAK31672.E of 21 April 1999. Information on arrests of SSP members can be found in PAK33629.E of 21 February 2000, PAK35116.E of 10 August 2000 and PAK32845.E of 7 October 1999.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

Dawn [Karachi]. 11 September 1997. Mahmood Zaman. "Blood, Sweat Tears." http://www.karachipage.com/news/sectDAWN.html [Accessed 16 Feb. 2001]

Embassy of India, Cairo. 14 June 2000. "Sipah-E-Sahiba (SSP)." http://www.india-emb.org.eg/book/ENGl/Sipah-E-Sahiba%20Pakistan.htm [Accessed 15 Feb. 2001]

Additional Sources Consulted

Extremist Groups: An International Compilation of Terrorist Organizations, Violent Political Groups and Issue-Oriented Militant Movements. 1996

IRB Databases

LEXIS/NEXIS

Mondes rebelles. 1996

World News Connection (WNC)

Internet sites including:

Annual Report for International Religious Freedom 2000. 2000

Federation of American Scientists. Intelligence Resource Program

Human Rights Watch

International Policy Institute for Counter-Terrorism

Jane's Information Group

Patterns of Global Terrorism 1999

South Asia Terrorism Portal

Swiss Office fédéral des réfugiés (ODR)

Terrorism Research Center

UK Immigration and Nationality Directorate

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