New Delhi, Delhi, India

Pakistan has arrested the son and brother of Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar. 

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Minister of State for the Interior Shehryar Khan Afridi announced at a press conference Tuesday that Mufti Abdur Rauf, Azhar's brother, and Hammad Azhar, Azhar's son, had been arrested along with 42 other members of terror groups. 

Khan Afridi added that a dossier handed over to Pakistan last week by India had had Mufti Abdur Rauf and Hammad Azhar's names in it.

Khan Afridi however said Tuesday's action had not been taken due to any pressure. 

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He added the crackdown would continue for two weeks and that action against the 44 people arrested would be taken on the basis of evidence.

Khan Afridi said his government's policy is that Pakistan's soil will not be allowed to be used for terror activities against anyone.

The arrests came a day after Pakistan issued a new order easier to implement UN sanctions against individuals and organisations.

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Interpreting the order, Foreign Office spokesperson Mohammad Faisal said the order allowed the government to take control of the properties and assets of any banned outfits operating out of Pakistan. Faisal said the order was passed by Prime Minister Imran Khan's cabinet. 

Masood Azhar, the big prize India is after, continues to remain a free man.  

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi had on Monday however hinted that Pakistan may not oppose a joint move by the US, Britain and France to list Masood Azhar as a global terrorist in the UN Security Council.

(With inputs from PTI)