Kabul rejects Pakistan's claim on Masood Azhar, says JeM founder not in Afghanistan
Islamabad has long maintained that Azhar fled to Afghanistan, particularly as it faces pressure from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) to crack down on terror groups and their leadership
360° Perspective Analysis
Deep-dive into Geography, Polity, Economy, History, Environment & Social dimensions — AI-powered, on-demand
Context
The Taliban government in Afghanistan has firmly rejected Pakistan's allegations that Masood Azhar, the founder of the (JeM) terror group, is present in Afghan territory. Pakistan, facing scrutiny from the (FATF), claims Azhar fled to Afghanistan in 2019, a claim Kabul denies, reiterating its commitment to not allow its soil to be used for terrorism against other nations.
UPSC Perspectives
International Relations
This development highlights the complex geopolitical dynamics in South Asia, specifically the strained relationship between Pakistan and the Taliban-led government in Afghanistan. The Taliban's repeated assertions that Afghan soil will not be used for terrorism against other countries, as agreed upon in the , contrast sharply with Pakistan's claims. Pakistan's strategy of shifting blame for the presence of wanted terrorists to neighboring countries is often viewed as a tactic to deflect international pressure, particularly from watchdogs like the . For UPSC, this underscores the challenges of regional stability and the intricate web of state-sponsored terrorism and diplomatic maneuvering in the region.
Internal Security
Masood Azhar is a critical figure in India's internal security landscape. As the founder of , he is wanted for orchestrating several major terror attacks in India, including the 2001 Parliament attack, the 2016 Pathankot airbase attack, and the 2019 Pulwama bombing. The inability to apprehend and prosecute leaders of UN-designated terror groups like JeM and (LeT) remains a significant challenge for India's counter-terrorism efforts. Azhar was designated a global terrorist by the (UNSC) under the 1267 sanctions committee in 2019. The ambiguity surrounding his whereabouts and Pakistan's reluctance or inability to arrest him continue to pose a severe threat to India's national security.
Global Governance
The role of the (FATF) is central to this issue. The FATF is an inter-governmental body established to combat money laundering and terrorist financing. Pakistan was on the FATF's 'grey list' from 2018 to 2022 due to strategic deficiencies in its Anti-Money Laundering/Combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) regime. Being on the grey list subjects a country to increased monitoring and can have significant economic repercussions. To exit the list, Pakistan had to demonstrate progress in curbing terror financing, including actions against groups like JeM and LeT. Pakistan's current claims regarding Azhar's location are crucial as it faces ongoing review by the (APG), an FATF-style regional body, particularly concerning its commitment to prosecuting individuals like Azhar. This illustrates how global financial watchdogs can exert pressure on states to comply with international counter-terrorism norms.