Terrorism remains publicly acknowledged by the Pakistan government as a policy that they justify, making it very hard to conduct normal relations with it, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Friday.

Speaking during an online event hosted by the Asia Society, Jaishankar said, 'In terms of your'&nbsp;question, how are we with Pakistan. Well, I am afraid we're still at the, if not the perennial issues, at least the long-lasting ones, which is terrorism from Pakistan continues."

"Terrorism from Pakistan remains publicly acknowledged by their government as a policy that they are justifying. So it makes it very hard to conduct normal relations with them,''&nbsp;Jaishankar said.

He added that it is not only terrorism, but Pakistan doesn't do normal trade with India and has not given New Delhi MFN (Most Favoured Nation) status.

''We don't have a normal visa relationship, they are very restrictive on that score. They have blocked connectivity between India and Afghanistan and from Afghanistan to India,''&nbsp;he said.

Jaishankar said that normal neighbours do visas and trade, ''they give you connectivity and most important they don't practice terrorism. And I think until we address that problem, this challenge of how do you have a normal relationship with this very unique neighbour is a very troubling issue for our foreign policy.''

Responding to a question on the developments in Kashmir since the bifurcation last year, Jaishankar said the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir has now become two union territories.

''The external boundaries of India have not changed. The external boundaries of India remain what they are today as opposed to what they were five years ago or 20 years ago, 40 years ago,''&nbsp;he said.

''So as far as our neighbours are concerned, our point to them is that this is something which is internal to us. Every country after all reserves the right to change its administrative jurisdictions. A country like China has also changed the borders of its provinces and I'm sure a lot of other countries do that.

''Neighbours get impacted only if your external boundaries change. That has not happened in this case,''&nbsp;he said.

Ties between India and Pakistan nosedived after a terror attack on the Pathankot Air Force base in 2016 by terror groups based in the neighbouring country. Subsequent attacks, including one on Indian Army camp in Uri, further deteriorated the relationship.

The relationship further dipped after India's war planes pounded a Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist training camp deep inside Pakistan on February 26 last year in response to the Pulwama terror attack in which 40 CRPF jawans were killed.

Withdrawal of Jammu and Kashmir's special powers and bifurcating the state into two union territories in August last year also evoked a strong reaction from Pakistan, which has been unsuccessfully trying to rally international support against India on the Kashmir issue.&nbsp;

Terrorism remains publicly acknowledged by the Pakistan government as a policy that they justify, making it very hard to conduct normal relations with it, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Friday.

Terrorism remains publicly acknowledged by the Pakistan government as a policy that they justify, making it very hard to conduct normal relations with it, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Friday. Speaking during an online event hosted by the Asia Society, Jaishankar said, 'In terms of your' question, how are we with Pakistan. Well, I am afraid we're still at the, if not the perennial issues, at least the long-lasting ones, which is terrorism from Pakistan continues." "Terrorism from Pakistan remains publicly acknowledged by their government as a policy that they are justifying. So it makes it very hard to conduct normal relations with them,'' Jaishankar said. He added that it is not only terrorism, but Pakistan doesn't do normal trade with India and has not given New Delhi MFN (Most Favoured Nation) status. ''We don't have a normal visa relationship, they are very restrictive on that score. They have blocked connectivity between India and Afghanistan and from Afghanistan to India,'' he said. Jaishankar said that normal neighbours do visas and trade, ''they give you connectivity and most important they don't practice terrorism. And I think until we address that problem, this challenge of how do you have a normal relationship with this very unique neighbour is a very troubling issue for our foreign policy.'' Responding to a question on the developments in Kashmir since the bifurcation last year, Jaishankar said the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir has now become two union territories. ''The external boundaries of India have not changed. The external boundaries of India remain what they are today as opposed to what they were five years ago or 20 years ago, 40 years ago,'' he said. ''So as far as our neighbours are concerned, our point to them is that this is something which is internal to us. Every country after all reserves the right to change its administrative jurisdictions. A country like China has also changed the borders of its provinces and I'm sure a lot of other countries do that. ''Neighbours get impacted only if your external boundaries change. That has not happened in this case,'' he said. Ties between India and Pakistan nosedived after a terror attack on the Pathankot Air Force base in 2016 by terror groups based in the neighbouring country. Subsequent attacks, including one on Indian Army camp in Uri, further deteriorated the relationship. The relationship further dipped after India's war planes pounded a Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist training camp deep inside Pakistan on February 26 last year in response to the Pulwama terror attack in which 40 CRPF jawans were killed. Withdrawal of Jammu and Kashmir's special powers and bifurcating the state into two union territories in August last year also evoked a strong reaction from Pakistan, which has been unsuccessfully trying to rally international support against India on the Kashmir issue.

Terrorism from Pak continues, making it very hard to conduct normal relations with them: Jaishankar

Pakistan is believed&nbsp;to now relying on American lobbying firms to wriggle&nbsp;its way out of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list in view of the upcoming October 21-23 plenary and sub-groups meeting of the global money laundering and terrorist financing watchdog.

Pakistan requires support of at least 12 out of 39 member states to remove its name from the grey list, pushing the ball to the US' court at the Paris plenary.

Several media reports say Texas-based Linden Strategies has been hired by the Pakistan government to lobby with the Donald Trump administration.

FATF had placed Pakistan on its grey list in June 2018 and asked Islamabad to implement a plan of action to curb money laundering and terror financing by the end of 2019 but the deadline was extended later on due to COVID-19 pandemic.

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Seeking to wriggle out of the FATF's grey list, debt-ridden Pakistan in August imposed financial sanctions on 88 banned terror groups and their leaders, including 26/11 Mumbai attack mastermind and Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed, Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar and underworld don Dawood Ibrahim.

In February, the FATF gave Pakistan, which missed 13 targets, a four-month grace period to complete its 27-point action plan against ML&amp;TF committed with the international community. In its third plenary held virtually in June, the FATF decided to keep Pakistan in the grey list as Islamabad failed to check flow of money to terror groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM).

The US had earlier dismissed Pakistan's claims of acting against these individuals and organisations. It has indicted Pakistan for continuing to act as “safe harbour” for other regionally focused terrorist groups.

A report published in Hindustan Times said Pakistan was keen to impress upon the Trump administration action taken against terrorists. And for this reason, Pakistan has sought the help of lobbying firm Linden Strategies which calls itself a "government relations and business development firm providing strategic analysis and advisory to domestic and international clients, including sovereign nations”.

Pakistan wants to establish that there is no involvement of Pakistan’s deep state in al Qaeda and the Islamic state in Afghanistan, or in any terror activity for that matter.

Meanwhile, according to another media report, a regional affiliate of the Financial Action Task Force on Monday retained the country on its 'Enhanced Follow-up' list. It had noted that Pakistan's measures against money laundering and terror financing "is not yet sufficient to justify a re-rating".

The first Follow-Up Report on Mutual Evaluation of Pakistan released by the Asia-Pacific Group (APG) underlined that the country's progress on the 40 FATF recommendations on the effectiveness of anti-money laundering and combating financing terror (AML/CFT) system largely remained unchanged -- non-compliant on four counts, partially compliant on 25 counts and largely compliant on nine recommendations, the Dawn News reported.

Pakistan has improved its full compliance on only two of the 40 FATF recommendations, the APG report noted.

The APG Mutual Evaluations is a peer-review system to determine whether countries meet the compliance standards for money laundering and terror financing.

After a country submits a Mutual Evaluation report, APG members can decide to place a member either through regular or enhanced follow-up. While a regular follow-up means just biennial reports, a country put under enhanced follow-up has to send four reports of compliance the following year.

Pakistan had requested for re-ratings on three areas declared partially compliant by the APG in October last year. The request was accepted on one count and rejected on two due to "insufficient" progress to the satisfaction of international experts.

The 41-member APG in August last year had downgraded Pakistan's status to 'Enhanced Follow-up' category from 'Regular Follow-up' over technical deficiencies to meet normal international financial standards by October 2018.

'Enhanced follow-up' is an intensive process of correction that deals with members with significant deficiencies (for technical compliance or effectiveness) in their AML/CFT systems.

With Pakistan's continuation in the 'grey list', it is increasingly becoming difficult for the country to get financial aid from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank, Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the European Union, thus further enhancing problems for the nation which is in a precarious financial situation.

The APG report noted that Pakistan considered 12 terrorist organisations, including eight UN-designated entities of concern (EOCs), for threat profiles but only in terms of inflows and not outflow of funds to support terrorist activities.

It also noted that the National Risk Assessment (NRA) 2019 has confirmed that abuse of non-profit organisations for terror financing purposes continued to pose a significant threat both domestically and externally and that charities and fund-raising was a source of funds for almost all EOCs.

(with inputs)

Pakistan is believed to now relying on American lobbying firms to wriggle its way out of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list in view of the upcoming October 21-23 plenary and sub-groups meeting of the global money laundering and terrorist financing watchdog.

Pakistan is believed to now relying on American lobbying firms to wriggle its way out of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list in view of the upcoming October 21-23 plenary and sub-groups meeting of the global money laundering and terrorist financing watchdog. Pakistan requires support of at least 12 out of 39 member states to remove its name from the grey list, pushing the ball to the US' court at the Paris plenary. Several media reports say Texas-based Linden Strategies has been hired by the Pakistan government to lobby with the Donald Trump administration. FATF had placed Pakistan on its grey list in June 2018 and asked Islamabad to implement a plan of action to curb money laundering and terror financing by the end of 2019 but the deadline was extended later on due to COVID-19 pandemic. × Seeking to wriggle out of the FATF's grey list, debt-ridden Pakistan in August imposed financial sanctions on 88 banned terror groups and their leaders, including 26/11 Mumbai attack mastermind and Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed, Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar and underworld don Dawood Ibrahim. In February, the FATF gave Pakistan, which missed 13 targets, a four-month grace period to complete its 27-point action plan against ML&TF committed with the international community. In its third plenary held virtually in June, the FATF decided to keep Pakistan in the grey list as Islamabad failed to check flow of money to terror groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). The US had earlier dismissed Pakistan's claims of acting against these individuals and organisations. It has indicted Pakistan for continuing to act as “safe harbour” for other regionally focused terrorist groups. A report published in Hindustan Times said Pakistan was keen to impress upon the Trump administration action taken against terrorists. And for this reason, Pakistan has sought the help of lobbying firm Linden Strategies which calls itself a "government relations and business development firm providing strategic analysis and advisory to domestic and international clients, including sovereign nations”. Pakistan wants to establish that there is no involvement of Pakistan’s deep state in al Qaeda and the Islamic state in Afghanistan, or in any terror activity for that matter. Meanwhile, according to another media report, a regional affiliate of the Financial Action Task Force on Monday retained the country on its 'Enhanced Follow-up' list. It had noted that Pakistan's measures against money laundering and terror financing "is not yet sufficient to justify a re-rating". The first Follow-Up Report on Mutual Evaluation of Pakistan released by the Asia-Pacific Group (APG) underlined that the country's progress on the 40 FATF recommendations on the effectiveness of anti-money laundering and combating financing terror (AML/CFT) system largely remained unchanged -- non-compliant on four counts, partially compliant on 25 counts and largely compliant on nine recommendations, the Dawn News reported. Pakistan has improved its full compliance on only two of the 40 FATF recommendations, the APG report noted. The APG Mutual Evaluations is a peer-review system to determine whether countries meet the compliance standards for money laundering and terror financing. After a country submits a Mutual Evaluation report, APG members can decide to place a member either through regular or enhanced follow-up. While a regular follow-up means just biennial reports, a country put under enhanced follow-up has to send four reports of compliance the following year. Pakistan had requested for re-ratings on three areas declared partially compliant by the APG in October last year. The request was accepted on one count and rejected on two due to "insufficient" progress to the satisfaction of international experts. The 41-member APG in August last year had downgraded Pakistan's status to 'Enhanced Follow-up' category from 'Regular Follow-up' over technical deficiencies to meet normal international financial standards by October 2018. 'Enhanced follow-up' is an intensive process of correction that deals with members with significant deficiencies (for technical compliance or effectiveness) in their AML/CFT systems. With Pakistan's continuation in the 'grey list', it is increasingly becoming difficult for the country to get financial aid from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank, Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the European Union, thus further enhancing problems for the nation which is in a precarious financial situation. The APG report noted that Pakistan considered 12 terrorist organisations, including eight UN-designated entities of concern (EOCs), for threat profiles but only in terms of inflows and not outflow of funds to support terrorist activities. It also noted that the National Risk Assessment (NRA) 2019 has confirmed that abuse of non-profit organisations for terror financing purposes continued to pose a significant threat both domestically and externally and that charities and fund-raising was a source of funds for almost all EOCs. (with inputs)

Pakistan hires top lobbying firm for a US bailout from FATF grey list; regional group highlights 'meagre' progress

Hitting out at Pakistan at the United Nations Human Rights council, India has said that Islamabad continues to play "victim card" on the issue of terrorism to "distract international community" even though it supports it.

Highlighting that&nbsp;Pakistan&nbsp;continues with its "shenanigan of running with the hare and hunting with the hound",&nbsp;India's first secretary to the United Nations in Geneva,&nbsp;Vimarsh Aryan said, "Whenever there is a discussion on terrorism the failed State of Pakistan plays the victim card so as to distract international community’s attention from the reality that Pakistan is unabashedly harbouring and supporting UN proscribed terrorists and terrorist organizations."

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Fact by fact, and case by case, Aryan exposed the condition of minorities, women, children and journalists in the country.

He said, "draconian State of Pakistan dares to talk about the rights of minorities in egalitarian India without realising that their responsibility is to protect people", citing example of Asif Pervaiz, a Christian man from Lahore who was recently sentenced to death under draconian blasphemy laws of Pakistan.

On women's right, giving example of&nbsp;Parsha Kumari, a Hindu women who was abducted and converted in southern province of Sindh, Indian diplomat said, "The barbaric State of Pakistan dares to talk about the rights of women in an inclusive democracy like India without realising that their responsibility is to protect women".

On children rights, he cited example of 3 year old Shahid Shah against whom FIR was lodged in Gujranwala. Aryan said,"ruthless State of Pakistan dares to talk about the rights of children in a progressive democracy like India without realising that their responsibility is to protect children"

When it comes to situation of journalists, he pointed at the "deep State of Pakistan" which "dares to talk about the rights of journalists in an open democracy like India" and without "realising that their responsibility is to protect honest journalists like Bilal Farooqi who is being tortured by Pakistani Army in Karachi, as we speak."

Hitting out at Pakistan at the United Nations Human Rights council, India has said that Islamabad continues to play "victim card" on the issue of terrorism to "distract international community" even though it supports it.

Hitting out at Pakistan at the United Nations Human Rights council, India has said that Islamabad continues to play "victim card" on the issue of terrorism to "distract international community" even though it supports it. Highlighting that Pakistan continues with its "shenanigan of running with the hare and hunting with the hound", India's first secretary to the United Nations in Geneva, Vimarsh Aryan said, "Whenever there is a discussion on terrorism the failed State of Pakistan plays the victim card so as to distract international community’s attention from the reality that Pakistan is unabashedly harbouring and supporting UN proscribed terrorists and terrorist organizations." Fact by fact, and case by case, Aryan exposed the condition of minorities, women, children and journalists in the country. He said, "draconian State of Pakistan dares to talk about the rights of minorities in egalitarian India without realising that their responsibility is to protect people", citing example of Asif Pervaiz, a Christian man from Lahore who was recently sentenced to death under draconian blasphemy laws of Pakistan. On women's right, giving example of Parsha Kumari, a Hindu women who was abducted and converted in southern province of Sindh, Indian diplomat said, "The barbaric State of Pakistan dares to talk about the rights of women in an inclusive democracy like India without realising that their responsibility is to protect women". On children rights, he cited example of 3 year old Shahid Shah against whom FIR was lodged in Gujranwala. Aryan said,"ruthless State of Pakistan dares to talk about the rights of children in a progressive democracy like India without realising that their responsibility is to protect children" When it comes to situation of journalists, he pointed at the "deep State of Pakistan" which "dares to talk about the rights of journalists in an open democracy like India" and without "realising that their responsibility is to protect honest journalists like Bilal Farooqi who is being tortured by Pakistani Army in Karachi, as we speak."

'Do not play victim card': India hits out at Pakistan on the issue of terror

Pakistan's deadliest industrial fire, which killed more than 260 garment factory workers in 2012, was a case of arson and not an accident, a court ruled on Tuesday as it sentenced two former political party activists to death for starting it.

The Anti-Terrorism Court found that the men set the factory ablaze because the owners did not give in to their extortion demands and pay them money.

The fire at Ali Enterprise, a multi-story unit for readymade garment manufacturing in the southern city of Karachi, sent shockwaves through the country as survivors told of people trapped and killed behind locked factory doors.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/south-asia/pakistan-launches-phase-iii-trials-for-chinese-cansinobios-covid-19-vaccine-329419" hreflang="en">Pakistan launches Phase III trials for Chinese Cansinobio's COVID-19 vaccine</a>

Of the eight other people accused in the case, four were found complicit while the other four were acquitted, including the then provincial minister for industries, Rauf Siddiqui, defence counsel Abid Zaman told reporters outside the court.

Siddiqui belongs to the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P), a party linked to years of at times violent political rivalry in Karachi and now a partner in Prime Minister Imran Khan's coalition government.

The two men given the death sentence, Rehman Bhola and Zubair Chariya, were both MQM activists.

As many as 400 witnesses gave statements in 171 hearings that spanned eight years.

While the MQM is part of the ruling coalition, the party split into several factions in 2017.

The current MQM leadership denies any involvement with the fire and says such activities were directed from abroad, where several important leaders live, including the founder of the party, Altaf Hussain, who lives in exile and is now a British citizen.

The party says it has cut all ties with Hussain.

Pakistan's deadliest industrial fire, which killed more than 260 garment factory workers in 2012, was a case of arson and not an accident, a court ruled on Tuesday as it sentenced two former political party activists to death for starting it.

Pakistan's deadliest industrial fire, which killed more than 260 garment factory workers in 2012, was a case of arson and not an accident, a court ruled on Tuesday as it sentenced two former political party activists to death for starting it. The Anti-Terrorism Court found that the men set the factory ablaze because the owners did not give in to their extortion demands and pay them money. The fire at Ali Enterprise, a multi-story unit for readymade garment manufacturing in the southern city of Karachi, sent shockwaves through the country as survivors told of people trapped and killed behind locked factory doors. Also read: Pakistan launches Phase III trials for Chinese Cansinobio's COVID-19 vaccine Of the eight other people accused in the case, four were found complicit while the other four were acquitted, including the then provincial minister for industries, Rauf Siddiqui, defence counsel Abid Zaman told reporters outside the court. Siddiqui belongs to the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P), a party linked to years of at times violent political rivalry in Karachi and now a partner in Prime Minister Imran Khan's coalition government. The two men given the death sentence, Rehman Bhola and Zubair Chariya, were both MQM activists. As many as 400 witnesses gave statements in 171 hearings that spanned eight years. While the MQM is part of the ruling coalition, the party split into several factions in 2017. The current MQM leadership denies any involvement with the fire and says such activities were directed from abroad, where several important leaders live, including the founder of the party, Altaf Hussain, who lives in exile and is now a British citizen. The party says it has cut all ties with Hussain.

Pakistan court rules deadly 2012 blaze was arson, sentences two to death

Pakistan is home to nearly 40,000 terrorists -- 16 of whom are blacklisted by the United Nations. India's neighbour is home to nearly 40,000 terrorists -- 16 of whom are blacklisted by the United Nations. India slammed Pakistan, Turkey and Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) at United Nation's Human Rights Council (UNHRC) after they raked the Kashmir matter at the Geneva-based body.

WION Dispatch: Pakistan creates smokescreen of sanctions before FATF

India and the United States have asked Pakistan to take action against the perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks and the 2016 Pathankot airbase attack.

US: We stand with India in its fight against terrorism

Afghanistan's vice president Amrullah Saleh sustained minor injuries Wednesday when an explosion targeted his convoy and killed at least 10 people, as government-backed negotiators and the Taliban prepared to meet in Doha for long-delayed peace talks.

The attack in the capital Kabul was quickly condemned as an attempt to frustrate the peace process, with top Afghan and foreign officials calling for an end to violence so negotiations between the two warring sides can proceed.

In a video posted on Facebook soon after the explosion, Saleh, an outspoken Taliban critic, said he had been travelling to his office when his convoy was attacked.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pak-targets-hafiz-saeed-masood-azhar-dawood-ibrahim-increases-curbs-on-terror-groups-to-avoid-fatf-blacklist-322394">Pak targets Hafiz Saeed, Masood Azhar &amp; Dawood Ibrahim; increases curbs on terror groups to avoid FATF blacklist</a>

"I am fine but some of my guards have been wounded. My son, who was in the car with me, and I are both fine," Saleh said, with bandages on his left hand.

"I have some burns on my face and hand. The blast was strong."

The interior ministry said the bomb was placed on a hand cart and detonated remotely when Saleh's convoy passed by.

"Unfortunately, 10 civilians, mostly people who were working in the area, were killed, and 15, including a number of the first VP's bodyguards, were wounded," Tareq Arian, spokesman to the ministry, told reporters at the scene.

The Taliban, who have pledged not to launch attacks in urban areas under a deal with the United States, denied responsibility.

Interior Minister Masoud Andarabi suspected the Haqqani network, a US-branded terrorist group with links&nbsp;to the Taliban, to be behind the attack.

It is headed by Siraj Uddin Haqqani, deputy leader of the Taliban. He&nbsp;recently tested positive for the Wuhan virus and was treated at a Pakistani military hospital in&nbsp;Rawalpindi.

Seeking to wriggle out of the FATF's grey list, Pakistan had&nbsp;announced sanctions on key figures of&nbsp;the Haqqani network in August.

"The type of explosive used... and nature of attack is similar to other attacks carried out and claimed by the Haqqani network in the past," Andarabi said on Twitter.

Saleh, the senior of&nbsp;Afghanistan's two vice presidents, survived an assassination attempt last year ahead of presidential elections.

At least 20 people, most of them civilians,&nbsp;were killed and 50 others wounded when a suicide attacker and gunmen targeted Saleh's Kabul office at that time.

Afghanistan's vice president Amrullah Saleh sustained minor injuries Wednesday when an explosion targeted his convoy and killed at least 10 people, as government-backed negotiators and the Taliban prepared to meet in Doha for long-delayed peace talks.

Afghanistan's vice president Amrullah Saleh sustained minor injuries Wednesday when an explosion targeted his convoy and killed at least 10 people, as government-backed negotiators and the Taliban prepared to meet in Doha for long-delayed peace talks. The attack in the capital Kabul was quickly condemned as an attempt to frustrate the peace process, with top Afghan and foreign officials calling for an end to violence so negotiations between the two warring sides can proceed. In a video posted on Facebook soon after the explosion, Saleh, an outspoken Taliban critic, said he had been travelling to his office when his convoy was attacked. Also read: Pak targets Hafiz Saeed, Masood Azhar & Dawood Ibrahim; increases curbs on terror groups to avoid FATF blacklist "I am fine but some of my guards have been wounded. My son, who was in the car with me, and I are both fine," Saleh said, with bandages on his left hand. "I have some burns on my face and hand. The blast was strong." The interior ministry said the bomb was placed on a hand cart and detonated remotely when Saleh's convoy passed by. "Unfortunately, 10 civilians, mostly people who were working in the area, were killed, and 15, including a number of the first VP's bodyguards, were wounded," Tareq Arian, spokesman to the ministry, told reporters at the scene. The Taliban, who have pledged not to launch attacks in urban areas under a deal with the United States, denied responsibility. Interior Minister Masoud Andarabi suspected the Haqqani network, a US-branded terrorist group with links to the Taliban, to be behind the attack. It is headed by Siraj Uddin Haqqani, deputy leader of the Taliban. He recently tested positive for the Wuhan virus and was treated at a Pakistani military hospital in Rawalpindi. Seeking to wriggle out of the FATF's grey list, Pakistan had announced sanctions on key figures of the Haqqani network in August. "The type of explosive used... and nature of attack is similar to other attacks carried out and claimed by the Haqqani network in the past," Andarabi said on Twitter. Saleh, the senior of Afghanistan's two vice presidents, survived an assassination attempt last year ahead of presidential elections. At least 20 people, most of them civilians, were killed and 50 others wounded when a suicide attacker and gunmen targeted Saleh's Kabul office at that time.

Assassination attempt on Afghanistan's vice president frustrates peace efforts

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, on Friday, said that 'states that have turned the production of terrorists as primary export attempted to paint themselves as victims of terrorism'.

EAM S Jaishankar slams Pakistan, says 'Terror exporter behaving like victim'

In a major setback to Prime Minister Imran Khan, the US&nbsp;is probing Pakistanis who were fighting for the Islamic State in Syria.

At least 29 Pakistanis have been caught by the US-backed Kurdish-Syrian democratic forces, and nine of them are women. They are all being interrogated by the US.

The interrogations will focus on&nbsp;who sent them to fight for the Islamic State, their previous affiliations&nbsp;with terror groups in Pakistan and if they have links with Pakistan's secret agency Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/flash-floods-ravage-region-around-kabul-at-least-46-dead-in-afghanistan-323178">Also read:&nbsp;Flash floods ravage region around Kabul, at least 46 dead in Afghanistan</a>

For Prime Minister Imran Khan, this is another embarrassment and&nbsp;it has come at the worst possible time. In October, the FATF (Financial Action Task Force) is set to review Pakistan's record.

The FATF is a terror financing watchdog, and Pakistan has been on its grey list. It should be in the black list, but countries such as China, Turkey and Malaysia save Pakistan from that, so it remains in the grey list.

Pakistan wants to step out of this grey list but&nbsp;revelations like these&nbsp;will make sure it stays where it is.

Meanwhile, the people of Pakistan are worried as the floods are destroying their houses and resources. Heavy rains have killed at least 90 people and damaged 1,000 homes across the country. The city of Karachi is living under water. The locals are frustratedwith the government as this happens&nbsp;every monsoon season.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/heavy-monsoon-rains-trigger-flash-floods-in-afghanistan-and-pakistan-323241">Have a look:&nbsp;Heavy monsoon rains trigger flash floods in Afghanistan and Pakistan</a>

Three days of monsoon rains have left Pakistan flooded with more than 90 fatalities, and thousands of homes destroyed.

Nearly 23 people have been declared dead in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,&nbsp;15 are dead in Baluchistan, eight have died&nbsp;in Pakistan's Punjab, and&nbsp;13 reported dead elsewhere in Pakistan, including three in Pak-occupied Kashmir.

The province of Sindh is the worst affected where 31 have been declared dead.

31 dead --- in the annual monsoon deluge.

"You can see there is havoc. People are so annoyed. No vehicle can pass through the streets as all ways are inundated. We appeal to the government that must do something and clean storm nullahs (storm water drains) so the people would take a breath of relief," a local said.

At least eight people have died in Karachi alone, mostly due to electrocution and drowning.

To top this, now, sewage water is flooding homes in low-lying areas. Earlier this month, troops helped pump out rainwater, and this time disaster relief is yet to arrive.

Locals have alleged that the residents have had to save their homes, resources and their families on their own with no help from the government.

Every year, many cities 'go under' after heavy rains due to poor city planning. In the case of Karachi, it is due to outdated sewage systems.

In a major setback to Prime Minister Imran Khan, the US is probing Pakistanis who were fighting for the Islamic State in Syria. At least 29 Pakistanis have been caught by the US-backed Kurdish-Syrian democratic forces, and nine of them are women.

In a major setback to Prime Minister Imran Khan, the US is probing Pakistanis who were fighting for the Islamic State in Syria. At least 29 Pakistanis have been caught by the US-backed Kurdish-Syrian democratic forces, and nine of them are women. They are all being interrogated by the US. The interrogations will focus on who sent them to fight for the Islamic State, their previous affiliations with terror groups in Pakistan and if they have links with Pakistan's secret agency Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). Also read: Flash floods ravage region around Kabul, at least 46 dead in Afghanistan For Prime Minister Imran Khan, this is another embarrassment and it has come at the worst possible time. In October, the FATF (Financial Action Task Force) is set to review Pakistan's record. The FATF is a terror financing watchdog, and Pakistan has been on its grey list. It should be in the black list, but countries such as China, Turkey and Malaysia save Pakistan from that, so it remains in the grey list. Pakistan wants to step out of this grey list but revelations like these will make sure it stays where it is. Meanwhile, the people of Pakistan are worried as the floods are destroying their houses and resources. Heavy rains have killed at least 90 people and damaged 1,000 homes across the country. The city of Karachi is living under water. The locals are frustratedwith the government as this happens every monsoon season. Have a look: Heavy monsoon rains trigger flash floods in Afghanistan and Pakistan Three days of monsoon rains have left Pakistan flooded with more than 90 fatalities, and thousands of homes destroyed. Nearly 23 people have been declared dead in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 15 are dead in Baluchistan, eight have died in Pakistan's Punjab, and 13 reported dead elsewhere in Pakistan, including three in Pak-occupied Kashmir. The province of Sindh is the worst affected where 31 have been declared dead. 31 dead --- in the annual monsoon deluge. "You can see there is havoc. People are so annoyed. No vehicle can pass through the streets as all ways are inundated. We appeal to the government that must do something and clean storm nullahs (storm water drains) so the people would take a breath of relief," a local said. At least eight people have died in Karachi alone, mostly due to electrocution and drowning. To top this, now, sewage water is flooding homes in low-lying areas. Earlier this month, troops helped pump out rainwater, and this time disaster relief is yet to arrive. Locals have alleged that the residents have had to save their homes, resources and their families on their own with no help from the government. Every year, many cities 'go under' after heavy rains due to poor city planning. In the case of Karachi, it is due to outdated sewage systems.

Monsoon floods, Pakistani terrorists in Syria: Troubles for Imran Khan increase

India has once again raised the issue of cross-border terrorism at the UNSC. New Delhi described itself as "a victim of terrorism" sponsored from across the Pakistani border. Watch report.

India at UNSC | "We are a victim of terror" | Calls out Pak for harbouring terrorists

Pakistani nationals remain at the leadership levels in terror groups such as al-Qaida in the Indian Subcontinent, Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant - Khorasan and Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, and many of them are yet to be blacklisted, according to a UN report.

The 26th report of the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team concerning ISIL, al-Qaida and associated individuals and entities said that in April and May, the Afghan special forces conducted a series of countrywide operations and arrested the head of the ISIL-K Aslam Farooqi (also known as Abdullah Orokzai) and his predecessor Zia ul-Haq (also known as Abu Omar Khorasani) and others.

Farooqi, who hails from Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, is the mastermind behind the deadly terror attack on a prominent gurudwara in Kabul in March that killed 25 Sikhs.

He is not blacklisted by the UN Security Council's 1267 al-Qaeda Sanctions Committee. Similarly, Haq is also a Pakistani national and has not been blacklisted yet.

Al-Qaida in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) operates under the Taliban umbrella from Afghanistan's Nimruz, Helmand and Kandahar provinces and its current leader is Pakistan-born Osama Mahmood, who is also "not listed" under the UNSC sanctions.&nbsp; 
Mahmood succeeded Asim Umar.

The report said that the group reportedly has between 150 and 200 members from Bangladesh, India, Myanmar and Pakistan and "is reportedly planning retaliation operations in the region to avenge the death of its former leader."

The Sanctions Monitoring Team report said that the "large terrorist group present in Afghanistan" Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) is led by Amir Noor Wali Mehsud.

Pakistan-born Mehsud was designated a global terrorist by the UNSC sanctions committee only this month, more than two years after he was named the TTP leader, following the death of former TTP head Maulana Fazlullah.

Mehsud is supported by his deputy Qari Amjad and TTP spokesperson Mohammad Khorasani, both not listed under the UNSC sanctions.

This demonstrates that the Pakistani nationals operate at leadership levels in the terror organisations and point to the terror groups' Pakistani links.

The report said that al-Qaida is covertly active in 12 Afghan provinces and its leader Aiman al-Zawahiri remains based in the country.

The monitoring team estimates the total number of al-Qaida fighters in Afghanistan at between 400 and 600.

The leadership maintains a close contact with the Haqqani Network. In February 2020, al-Zawahiri met with Yahya Haqqani, "the primary Haqqani Network contact with al-Qaida since mid-2009, to discuss the ongoing cooperation."&nbsp;

Pakistani nationals remain at the leadership levels in terror groups such as al-Qaida in the Indian Subcontinent, Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant - Khorasan and Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, and many of them are yet to be blacklisted, according to a UN report.

Pakistani nationals remain at the leadership levels in terror groups such as al-Qaida in the Indian Subcontinent, Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant - Khorasan and Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, and many of them are yet to be blacklisted, according to a UN report. The 26th report of the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team concerning ISIL, al-Qaida and associated individuals and entities said that in April and May, the Afghan special forces conducted a series of countrywide operations and arrested the head of the ISIL-K Aslam Farooqi (also known as Abdullah Orokzai) and his predecessor Zia ul-Haq (also known as Abu Omar Khorasani) and others. Farooqi, who hails from Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, is the mastermind behind the deadly terror attack on a prominent gurudwara in Kabul in March that killed 25 Sikhs. He is not blacklisted by the UN Security Council's 1267 al-Qaeda Sanctions Committee. Similarly, Haq is also a Pakistani national and has not been blacklisted yet. Al-Qaida in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) operates under the Taliban umbrella from Afghanistan's Nimruz, Helmand and Kandahar provinces and its current leader is Pakistan-born Osama Mahmood, who is also "not listed" under the UNSC sanctions. Mahmood succeeded Asim Umar. The report said that the group reportedly has between 150 and 200 members from Bangladesh, India, Myanmar and Pakistan and "is reportedly planning retaliation operations in the region to avenge the death of its former leader." The Sanctions Monitoring Team report said that the "large terrorist group present in Afghanistan" Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) is led by Amir Noor Wali Mehsud. Pakistan-born Mehsud was designated a global terrorist by the UNSC sanctions committee only this month, more than two years after he was named the TTP leader, following the death of former TTP head Maulana Fazlullah. Mehsud is supported by his deputy Qari Amjad and TTP spokesperson Mohammad Khorasani, both not listed under the UNSC sanctions. This demonstrates that the Pakistani nationals operate at leadership levels in the terror organisations and point to the terror groups' Pakistani links. The report said that al-Qaida is covertly active in 12 Afghan provinces and its leader Aiman al-Zawahiri remains based in the country. The monitoring team estimates the total number of al-Qaida fighters in Afghanistan at between 400 and 600. The leadership maintains a close contact with the Haqqani Network. In February 2020, al-Zawahiri met with Yahya Haqqani, "the primary Haqqani Network contact with al-Qaida since mid-2009, to discuss the ongoing cooperation."

Pakistanis head terror groups ISIL-K, AQIS, TTP; not yet blacklisted: UN report

India has slammed Pakistan for not acting on the concrete evidences shared by it on several terrorist attacks, including the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts and the 2008 Mumbai terror attack and pointed out that the perpetrators of these heinous crimes, though proscribed by the UN, continue to enjoy "state hospitality" in the country.

Mahaveer Singhvi, head of the Indian delegation, made the comments at a webinar on Thursday during the ongoing virtual Counter-Terrorism Week.

"This is an occasion for reiterating our collective resolve to protect and uphold human rights. It is unfortunate that Pakistan, a sponsor of cross border terrorism, and the globally acknowledged fountain head and pernicious cradle of terrorism, has once again used this forum for propagating its discredited narrative and making mischievous and scurrilous allegations against India," Singhvi said.

While the whole world, including India, has undertaken proactive steps to promote human rights and build resilience against terrorism, Pakistan has main-streamed terrorism as statecraft, Singhvi added.

"It continues to provide military, financial and logistical support to cross border terrorism but has denied the victims of terrorism their fundamental right to justice by not acting on the concrete evidences shared by India on several terrorist attacks, including 1993 Mumbai Serial Blasts and 2008 Mumbai Terror Attack. The perpetrators of these heinous crimes have been proscribed by the UNSC 1267 committee but continue to enjoy state hospitality in Pakistan," Singhvi, Joint Secretary for Counter-Terrorism in the Ministry of External Affairs, said.

Singhvi also said Pakistan's attempt to "masquerade" as a promoter of human rights and egalitarianism is "farcical" considering its record of systemic persecution of its minorities, including Christians, Ahmadiyyas, Sikhs, Hindus, Shias, Pashtuns, Hazaras, Sindhis, and Balochis. Through draconian blasphemy laws, forced conversions and marriages and extrajudicial killings.

Pakistan consistently rakes up the issue of Jammu and Kashmir and other internal matters of India at various UN fora. Earlier this week also, India had strongly hit out at Pakistan for raising India's domestic policies and internal affairs at the counter-terrorism forum.

During the webinar "Protecting and Promoting Human Rights as a Cornerstone for Building Resilience against Terrorism', Singhvi asserted that Jammu and Kashmir has been, is and will continue to remain an integral part of India and said Pakistan should cease to covet it. 
"What is portrayed by Pakistan is actually state sponsored cross border terrorism. India reiterates that despite the continued proxy war and state sponsored cross border terrorism raged by Pakistan against the people of Jammu and Kashmir, the people of Jammu and Kashmir have reposed their faith in the Indian democracy."

Singhvi said that before preaching to others, Pakistan must remember that terrorism is the worst form of human rights abuse.

"The world doesn't need lessons on human rights from a country whose own citizens as well as minorities have never enjoyed true democracy. The least Pakistan could do, therefore, is to look into its own sorry state of affairs and put its house in order before pointing fingers at others and spewing venom against the democratically elected Indian Government and its leaders."

Singhvi told the UN forum that India has a civilisation ethos of inclusiveness, tolerance and acceptance and the philosophy of "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam', the world is one family, permeates each aspect of Indian life.

"Our cultural, linguistic and religious diversity is our strength and our Constitution guarantees equal rights to all faiths and creeds. Pakistan may repeat its Goebbelsian lies, a thousand times, but it cannot change the fact that Minorities feel secure and empowered in India."

He further said that terrorism is the grossest affront to the enjoyment of the inalienable human right to life and to live in peace and security. It poses a serious threat to economic and social development, undermines democracy and jeopardises the rule of law and is an attack against freedom of thought, expression and association.

"While acts of terrorism violate the rights of individual victims, it also deeply affects the enjoyment of a range of rights by the families of the victims and society as a whole," he said, adding that building resilience of the society against terrorism forms an integral part of any counter terrorism strategy.

"There is a need to foster a society in which individuals and communities are able to counter the spread of terrorist ideologies and challenge those who espouse them. This requires robust partnerships and cooperation with citizens and local communities."

Noting that any terrorist incident disproportionately affects the human rights of women, girls and children, he said gender and age sensitive measures need to be incorporated in addressing the short, medium and long-term needs of the most vulnerable groups of victims of terrorism.

Protection of the rights of children and young persons, especially their right to education is also critical to prevent radicalisation and indoctrination of terrorist ideologies, he said.

India has slammed Pakistan for not acting on the concrete evidences shared by it on several terrorist attacks, including the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts and the 2008 Mumbai terror attack and pointed out that the perpetrators of these heinous crimes, though proscribed by the UN, continue to enjoy "state hospitality" in the country.

India has slammed Pakistan for not acting on the concrete evidences shared by it on several terrorist attacks, including the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts and the 2008 Mumbai terror attack and pointed out that the perpetrators of these heinous crimes, though proscribed by the UN, continue to enjoy "state hospitality" in the country. Mahaveer Singhvi, head of the Indian delegation, made the comments at a webinar on Thursday during the ongoing virtual Counter-Terrorism Week. "This is an occasion for reiterating our collective resolve to protect and uphold human rights. It is unfortunate that Pakistan, a sponsor of cross border terrorism, and the globally acknowledged fountain head and pernicious cradle of terrorism, has once again used this forum for propagating its discredited narrative and making mischievous and scurrilous allegations against India," Singhvi said. While the whole world, including India, has undertaken proactive steps to promote human rights and build resilience against terrorism, Pakistan has main-streamed terrorism as statecraft, Singhvi added. "It continues to provide military, financial and logistical support to cross border terrorism but has denied the victims of terrorism their fundamental right to justice by not acting on the concrete evidences shared by India on several terrorist attacks, including 1993 Mumbai Serial Blasts and 2008 Mumbai Terror Attack. The perpetrators of these heinous crimes have been proscribed by the UNSC 1267 committee but continue to enjoy state hospitality in Pakistan," Singhvi, Joint Secretary for Counter-Terrorism in the Ministry of External Affairs, said. Singhvi also said Pakistan's attempt to "masquerade" as a promoter of human rights and egalitarianism is "farcical" considering its record of systemic persecution of its minorities, including Christians, Ahmadiyyas, Sikhs, Hindus, Shias, Pashtuns, Hazaras, Sindhis, and Balochis. Through draconian blasphemy laws, forced conversions and marriages and extrajudicial killings. Pakistan consistently rakes up the issue of Jammu and Kashmir and other internal matters of India at various UN fora. Earlier this week also, India had strongly hit out at Pakistan for raising India's domestic policies and internal affairs at the counter-terrorism forum. During the webinar "Protecting and Promoting Human Rights as a Cornerstone for Building Resilience against Terrorism', Singhvi asserted that Jammu and Kashmir has been, is and will continue to remain an integral part of India and said Pakistan should cease to covet it. "What is portrayed by Pakistan is actually state sponsored cross border terrorism. India reiterates that despite the continued proxy war and state sponsored cross border terrorism raged by Pakistan against the people of Jammu and Kashmir, the people of Jammu and Kashmir have reposed their faith in the Indian democracy." Singhvi said that before preaching to others, Pakistan must remember that terrorism is the worst form of human rights abuse. "The world doesn't need lessons on human rights from a country whose own citizens as well as minorities have never enjoyed true democracy. The least Pakistan could do, therefore, is to look into its own sorry state of affairs and put its house in order before pointing fingers at others and spewing venom against the democratically elected Indian Government and its leaders." Singhvi told the UN forum that India has a civilisation ethos of inclusiveness, tolerance and acceptance and the philosophy of "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam', the world is one family, permeates each aspect of Indian life. "Our cultural, linguistic and religious diversity is our strength and our Constitution guarantees equal rights to all faiths and creeds. Pakistan may repeat its Goebbelsian lies, a thousand times, but it cannot change the fact that Minorities feel secure and empowered in India." He further said that terrorism is the grossest affront to the enjoyment of the inalienable human right to life and to live in peace and security. It poses a serious threat to economic and social development, undermines democracy and jeopardises the rule of law and is an attack against freedom of thought, expression and association. "While acts of terrorism violate the rights of individual victims, it also deeply affects the enjoyment of a range of rights by the families of the victims and society as a whole," he said, adding that building resilience of the society against terrorism forms an integral part of any counter terrorism strategy. "There is a need to foster a society in which individuals and communities are able to counter the spread of terrorist ideologies and challenge those who espouse them. This requires robust partnerships and cooperation with citizens and local communities." Noting that any terrorist incident disproportionately affects the human rights of women, girls and children, he said gender and age sensitive measures need to be incorporated in addressing the short, medium and long-term needs of the most vulnerable groups of victims of terrorism. Protection of the rights of children and young persons, especially their right to education is also critical to prevent radicalisation and indoctrination of terrorist ideologies, he said.

Perpetrators of heinous terror attacks continue to enjoy 'state hospitality' in Pak: India at UN

Hitting out at Pakistan for peddling "false narratives" against it, India has asked Islamabad that it must introspect about why it is universally acknowledged as the "international epicentre" of terrorism and the "best safe haven for terrorists."

Mahaveer Singhvi, head of the Indian delegation, made the comments at a webinar "The Global Scourge of Terrorism: Assessment of High-Risk Threats and Trends, including the rise of Violent Extremism and Hate Speech in a Pandemic Environment' on Tuesday during the ongoing virtual Counter-Terrorism Week.

"While the world is coming together to battle the pandemic, it is unfortunate that Pakistan, a state which sponsors cross border terrorism, continues to use every opportunity to peddle false narratives and make baseless, malicious and egregious allegations against India and interfere in our internal affairs," he said.

"The international community should call upon Pakistan to take sustained, verifiable and irreversible actions against terror outfits operating on the territory under its control. Pakistan must introspect upon why it is universally acknowledged as the international epicentre of terrorism and the best safe haven for terrorists," Singhvi said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/amidst-covid-19-pakistan-continues-to-support-terror-says-india-at-united-nations-311477">Also read |&nbsp;Amidst Covid-19, Pakistan continues to support terror says India at United Nations</a>

Slamming Islamabad for raising India's domestic policies and internal affairs, including the issue of Jammu and Kashmir, he said even as Pakistan provides shelter and support to terrorists, it continues to peddle false and motivated narrative on the situation in the Union Territory.

"It is seeking to portray its military, financial, logistical support to cross border terrorism against India as a freedom struggle. It is also peddling misinformation about India's domestic legislation and policies," he said.

If Pakistan wishes to be taken seriously in the fight against the "even more destructive virus of terrorism," it must look inward and live up to its commitments and abandon its "divisionary tactics," he said.

While Pakistan conveniently blames others, it "turns a blind eye" to the human rights violations in Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and territories of Jammu and Kashmir illegally occupied by it, he said.

"It has also systematically and consistently discriminated against its religious and cultural minorities," Singhvi said, adding that reports of forced conversions, attacks on religious places of minorities, including Ahmedias, Christians, Hindus and Sikhs in Pakistan are well known to the world.

"India is the largest democracy in the world where all faiths receive equal treatment, as mandated by the Constitution. Members from minority communities have held high offices in India, including presidents and prime ministers. Pakistan, being a theocratic State, may find it difficult to fathom India's secular credentials.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-summons-indian-diplomat-over-firing-along-loc-311075">Also read |&nbsp;Pakistan summons Indian diplomat over firing along LoC</a>

"The least Pakistan could do" is to look into its own sorry state of affairs and put its house in order before pointing fingers at others and spewing venom against the democratically-elected Indian government and its leaders," he said.

He also slammed Pakistan's "ludicrous" statement claiming credit for eliminating Al Qaeda from its territory, saying it is "indeed ironic", considering its leader Osama bin Laden, "has recently been glorified as a martyr, by none other than the Prime Minister of Pakistan on the floor of their Parliament".This is a chilling reminder of the patronage that the international terrorists receive in Pakistan."

He said Prime Minister Imran Khan had publicly acknowledged the presence of up to 40,000 terrorists in Pakistan and that terrorists from there have attacked neighbouring countries.

He also cited a recent report by the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team of the UN Security Council stating that around 6,500 Pakistani terrorists belonging to Jaish-i-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba are operating in Afghanistan.

"Pakistan's role as epicentre of terrorism has been well documented by numerous international organisations" including the UN and the Financial Action Task Force.

"Unlike Pakistan, India does not make any distinction between terrorists and invariably condemns terror attacks anywhere in the world," including the recent Karachi attack, he said.

Recalling the 2008 attack on the Indian embassy in Kabul by a Pakistan-supported terrorist group that claimed several lives, he said, "it is very unfortunate that a country which perpetrated terrorist attacks in Mumbai (2008), Pathankot (2016), Uri and Pulwama is now preaching to the world community."

He said India continues to face the scourge of state-sponsored cross border terrorism. 
"Terrorists have made innumerable attempts to infiltrate into our country from their safe abodes across the border to carry out attacks and have even used unmanned aerial systems to smuggle weapons across our borders," he said.

Globally, there have been "malevolent attempts" by terrorists to exploit the distress caused by lockdowns and disturb cohesiveness of societies, he said, adding that the increased presence of people online has been targeted by terrorists to spread misinformation through hate speeches, fake news and doctored videos.

Terror groups have also exhorted supporters to target security forces and health workers and proscribed terrorist outfits are collecting funds under the garb of charitable activities to finance terror.

"As the world grapples with COVID-19, it is important to augment international legal frameworks to coherently fight against terrorists, whose disruptive activities continued and, in fact, increased during the pandemic," he said. 
&nbsp;

Hitting out at Pakistan for peddling "false narratives" against it, India has asked Islamabad that it must introspect about why it is universally acknowledged as the "international epicentre" of terrorism and the "best safe haven for terrorists.

Hitting out at Pakistan for peddling "false narratives" against it, India has asked Islamabad that it must introspect about why it is universally acknowledged as the "international epicentre" of terrorism and the "best safe haven for terrorists." Mahaveer Singhvi, head of the Indian delegation, made the comments at a webinar "The Global Scourge of Terrorism: Assessment of High-Risk Threats and Trends, including the rise of Violent Extremism and Hate Speech in a Pandemic Environment' on Tuesday during the ongoing virtual Counter-Terrorism Week. "While the world is coming together to battle the pandemic, it is unfortunate that Pakistan, a state which sponsors cross border terrorism, continues to use every opportunity to peddle false narratives and make baseless, malicious and egregious allegations against India and interfere in our internal affairs," he said. "The international community should call upon Pakistan to take sustained, verifiable and irreversible actions against terror outfits operating on the territory under its control. Pakistan must introspect upon why it is universally acknowledged as the international epicentre of terrorism and the best safe haven for terrorists," Singhvi said. Also read | Amidst Covid-19, Pakistan continues to support terror says India at United Nations Slamming Islamabad for raising India's domestic policies and internal affairs, including the issue of Jammu and Kashmir, he said even as Pakistan provides shelter and support to terrorists, it continues to peddle false and motivated narrative on the situation in the Union Territory. "It is seeking to portray its military, financial, logistical support to cross border terrorism against India as a freedom struggle. It is also peddling misinformation about India's domestic legislation and policies," he said. If Pakistan wishes to be taken seriously in the fight against the "even more destructive virus of terrorism," it must look inward and live up to its commitments and abandon its "divisionary tactics," he said. While Pakistan conveniently blames others, it "turns a blind eye" to the human rights violations in Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and territories of Jammu and Kashmir illegally occupied by it, he said. "It has also systematically and consistently discriminated against its religious and cultural minorities," Singhvi said, adding that reports of forced conversions, attacks on religious places of minorities, including Ahmedias, Christians, Hindus and Sikhs in Pakistan are well known to the world. "India is the largest democracy in the world where all faiths receive equal treatment, as mandated by the Constitution. Members from minority communities have held high offices in India, including presidents and prime ministers. Pakistan, being a theocratic State, may find it difficult to fathom India's secular credentials. Also read | Pakistan summons Indian diplomat over firing along LoC "The least Pakistan could do" is to look into its own sorry state of affairs and put its house in order before pointing fingers at others and spewing venom against the democratically-elected Indian government and its leaders," he said. He also slammed Pakistan's "ludicrous" statement claiming credit for eliminating Al Qaeda from its territory, saying it is "indeed ironic", considering its leader Osama bin Laden, "has recently been glorified as a martyr, by none other than the Prime Minister of Pakistan on the floor of their Parliament".This is a chilling reminder of the patronage that the international terrorists receive in Pakistan." He said Prime Minister Imran Khan had publicly acknowledged the presence of up to 40,000 terrorists in Pakistan and that terrorists from there have attacked neighbouring countries. He also cited a recent report by the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team of the UN Security Council stating that around 6,500 Pakistani terrorists belonging to Jaish-i-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba are operating in Afghanistan. "Pakistan's role as epicentre of terrorism has been well documented by numerous international organisations" including the UN and the Financial Action Task Force. "Unlike Pakistan, India does not make any distinction between terrorists and invariably condemns terror attacks anywhere in the world," including the recent Karachi attack, he said. Recalling the 2008 attack on the Indian embassy in Kabul by a Pakistan-supported terrorist group that claimed several lives, he said, "it is very unfortunate that a country which perpetrated terrorist attacks in Mumbai (2008), Pathankot (2016), Uri and Pulwama is now preaching to the world community." He said India continues to face the scourge of state-sponsored cross border terrorism. "Terrorists have made innumerable attempts to infiltrate into our country from their safe abodes across the border to carry out attacks and have even used unmanned aerial systems to smuggle weapons across our borders," he said. Globally, there have been "malevolent attempts" by terrorists to exploit the distress caused by lockdowns and disturb cohesiveness of societies, he said, adding that the increased presence of people online has been targeted by terrorists to spread misinformation through hate speeches, fake news and doctored videos. Terror groups have also exhorted supporters to target security forces and health workers and proscribed terrorist outfits are collecting funds under the garb of charitable activities to finance terror. "As the world grapples with COVID-19, it is important to augment international legal frameworks to coherently fight against terrorists, whose disruptive activities continued and, in fact, increased during the pandemic," he said.

Pak must introspect why it's universally acknowledged as 'epicentre' of terrorism: India at UN

Pakistan on Wednesday claimed that Kulbhushan Jadhav had refused review petition that was offered to him by their government. He instead has requested for a mercy petition, it added.

Pakistan's Additional Attorney General Ahmed Irfan said, "Kulbhushan Jadhav was invited to file a petition for review and reconsideration of his sentence and conviction. He exercised his legal right, and refused to file a petition for review."

On May 20, Pakistan had enacted an ordinance to implement the International Court of Justice's (ICJ) order under which an appeal can be made to the Islamabad High Court within two months. Jadhav was given a chance to file a review petition on June 17.

Pakistan even claimed that the Indian High Commission was "repeatedly" invited to file a review at the Islamabad High Court and initiate the review and reconsideration process.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/fully-complied-with-icj-judgement-on-kulbhushan-jadhav-claims-pakistan-297785">Also read |&nbsp;'Fully complied' with ICJ judgement on Kulbhushan Jadhav, claims Pakistan</a>

Islamabad also announced it would give a second consular access to Jhadav, inviting his father and wife to meet him.&nbsp;

The Indian government is yet to react on the developments.&nbsp;

India in September, 2019 got the first consular access for Kulbhushan Jadhav in three years. Indian Deputy High Commissioner (DHC) Gaurav Ahluwalia in Islamabad then met him for two hours. The Indian diplomat found Jadhav under "extreme pressure to parrot a false narrative to bolster Pakistan’s untenable claims", according to release issued by India's Ministry of External Affairs. 
&nbsp; 
India maintains that Jadhav, an Indian naval officer, was abducted by Pakistani agencies from Iran and New Delhi was first informed about his custody by Pakistani authorities on March 25, 2016, after which in 2017, Islamabad announced that military had awarded death sentence to him.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/might-have-to-go-back-to-icj-over-jadhav-case-says-harish-salve-296307">Also read |&nbsp;Might have to go back to ICJ over Jadhav case, says Harish Salve</a>

Pakistan on Wednesday claimed that Kulbhushan Jadhav had refused review petition that was offered to him by their government. He instead has requested for a mercy petition, it added.

Pakistan on Wednesday claimed that Kulbhushan Jadhav had refused review petition that was offered to him by their government. He instead has requested for a mercy petition, it added. Pakistan's Additional Attorney General Ahmed Irfan said, "Kulbhushan Jadhav was invited to file a petition for review and reconsideration of his sentence and conviction. He exercised his legal right, and refused to file a petition for review." On May 20, Pakistan had enacted an ordinance to implement the International Court of Justice's (ICJ) order under which an appeal can be made to the Islamabad High Court within two months. Jadhav was given a chance to file a review petition on June 17. Pakistan even claimed that the Indian High Commission was "repeatedly" invited to file a review at the Islamabad High Court and initiate the review and reconsideration process. Also read | 'Fully complied' with ICJ judgement on Kulbhushan Jadhav, claims Pakistan Islamabad also announced it would give a second consular access to Jhadav, inviting his father and wife to meet him. The Indian government is yet to react on the developments. India in September, 2019 got the first consular access for Kulbhushan Jadhav in three years. Indian Deputy High Commissioner (DHC) Gaurav Ahluwalia in Islamabad then met him for two hours. The Indian diplomat found Jadhav under "extreme pressure to parrot a false narrative to bolster Pakistan’s untenable claims", according to release issued by India's Ministry of External Affairs. India maintains that Jadhav, an Indian naval officer, was abducted by Pakistani agencies from Iran and New Delhi was first informed about his custody by Pakistani authorities on March 25, 2016, after which in 2017, Islamabad announced that military had awarded death sentence to him. Also read | Might have to go back to ICJ over Jadhav case, says Harish Salve

Pakistan claims Kulbhushan Jadhav had refused review petition

The US Department of State in its report&nbsp;has said that Pakistan continues to serve as a "safe haven" for certain "regionally-focused terrorist groups."

Watch Video:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-how-pakistan-is-wooing-russia-308368/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"Pakistan continued to serve as a safe haven for certain regionally-focused terrorist groups. It allowed groups targeting Afghanistan, including the Afghan Taliban and affiliated HQN, as well as groups targeting India, including LeT and its affiliated front organizations, and JeM, to operate from its territory," the report stated.

The report asserted that Pakistan’s efforts towards counter-terrorism &nbsp;"remains unfulfilled".

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pakistan-trying-to-push-terrorists-into-jk-under-cover-of-ceasefire-violations-police-chief-307973">Also Read: Pak trying to push terrorists into J&amp;K under cover of ceasefire violations</a>

"Pakistan’s progress on the most difficult aspects of its 2015 National Action Plan to counter terrorism remains unfulfilled – specifically its pledge to dismantle all terrorist organizations without delay and discrimination."

"While Pakistani authorities indicted LeT co-founder Hafiz Saeed and 12 of his associates on December 11, they have made no effort to use domestic authorities to prosecute other terrorist leaders such as JeM founder Masood Azhar and Sajid Mir, the mastermind of LeT’s 2008 Mumbai attacks, both of whom are widely believed to reside in Pakistan under the protection of the state, despite government denials," the report said.

Two years ago the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) had placed Pakistan on its "grey list" and had directed the country to take steps by September 2019 to address the terrorism issue.

The US Department of State in its report has said that Pakistan continues to serve as a "safe haven" for certain "regionally-focused terrorist groups." Watch Video: "Pakistan continued to serve as a safe haven for certain regionally-focused terrorist groups.

The US Department of State in its report has said that Pakistan continues to serve as a "safe haven" for certain "regionally-focused terrorist groups." Watch Video: "Pakistan continued to serve as a safe haven for certain regionally-focused terrorist groups. It allowed groups targeting Afghanistan, including the Afghan Taliban and affiliated HQN, as well as groups targeting India, including LeT and its affiliated front organizations, and JeM, to operate from its territory," the report stated. The report asserted that Pakistan’s efforts towards counter-terrorism "remains unfulfilled". Also Read: Pak trying to push terrorists into J&K under cover of ceasefire violations "Pakistan’s progress on the most difficult aspects of its 2015 National Action Plan to counter terrorism remains unfulfilled – specifically its pledge to dismantle all terrorist organizations without delay and discrimination." "While Pakistani authorities indicted LeT co-founder Hafiz Saeed and 12 of his associates on December 11, they have made no effort to use domestic authorities to prosecute other terrorist leaders such as JeM founder Masood Azhar and Sajid Mir, the mastermind of LeT’s 2008 Mumbai attacks, both of whom are widely believed to reside in Pakistan under the protection of the state, despite government denials," the report said. Two years ago the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) had placed Pakistan on its "grey list" and had directed the country to take steps by September 2019 to address the terrorism issue.

Pakistan continues to serve as safe haven for regionally-focused terrorist groups: US report

The FATF on Wednesday decided to keep Pakistan in the “grey list” for failing to check the flow of funds to terror groups

Pakistan to remain on greylist of terror financing watchdog FATF

Pakistan's Foreign Office on Monday rejected what it called India's "malicious assertions" based on complete distortion of facts, days after New Delhi said a recent UN report about Pakistan-based terror groups sending thousands of terrorists to Afghanistan is a reiteration of what Prime Minister Imran Khan publicly admitted.

The UN report said that around 6,500 Pakistani nationals were among foreign terrorists operating in Afghanistan and that Pakistan-based terror groups Jaish-e-Mohammad and Lashkar-e-Taiba are engaged in trafficking fighters into that country.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/pakistan/us-spl-envoy-khalilzad-pak-army-chief-bajwa-discuss-afghan-peace-process-304210">US spl envoy Khalilzad, Pak Army chief Bajwa discuss Afghan peace process</a>

External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said on Friday that the international community is well acquainted with the reality that Pakistan is the "nerve centre of terrorism".

On Monday, the Foreign Office said in a statement that even the remarks of Prime Minister Khan were completely twisted by India.

"This mischievous attempt is highly condemnable," it said.

It claimed that the Ministry of External Affairs' comments are in continuation of their campaign to divert international attention from Kashmir.

"Pakistan has been the principal victim of terrorism, including terrorism perpetrated against our people from across the border,"&nbsp;it said.

"It is India that is seeking to distort and misrepresent the report of the UN Security Council's Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team to promote its anti-Pakistan propaganda. We are sure that the world community will not be misled,"&nbsp;the FO claimed.

Pakistan's role as a facilitator to the ongoing peace process in Afghanistan has been widely acknowledged by the relevant international partners, it said.

"We wish to reiterate that all relevant partner countries must guard against such attempts, while supporting the process for an inclusive and comprehensive political settlement in Afghanistan,"&nbsp;it added.

 
&nbsp;

Pakistan's Foreign Office on Monday rejected what it called India's "malicious assertions" based on complete distortion of facts, days after New Delhi said a recent UN report about Pakistan-based terror groups sending thousands of terrorists to Afghanistan is a reiteration of what Prime Minister Imran Khan publicly admitted.

Pakistan's Foreign Office on Monday rejected what it called India's "malicious assertions" based on complete distortion of facts, days after New Delhi said a recent UN report about Pakistan-based terror groups sending thousands of terrorists to Afghanistan is a reiteration of what Prime Minister Imran Khan publicly admitted. The UN report said that around 6,500 Pakistani nationals were among foreign terrorists operating in Afghanistan and that Pakistan-based terror groups Jaish-e-Mohammad and Lashkar-e-Taiba are engaged in trafficking fighters into that country. Also read | US spl envoy Khalilzad, Pak Army chief Bajwa discuss Afghan peace process External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said on Friday that the international community is well acquainted with the reality that Pakistan is the "nerve centre of terrorism". On Monday, the Foreign Office said in a statement that even the remarks of Prime Minister Khan were completely twisted by India. "This mischievous attempt is highly condemnable," it said. It claimed that the Ministry of External Affairs' comments are in continuation of their campaign to divert international attention from Kashmir. "Pakistan has been the principal victim of terrorism, including terrorism perpetrated against our people from across the border," it said. "It is India that is seeking to distort and misrepresent the report of the UN Security Council's Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team to promote its anti-Pakistan propaganda. We are sure that the world community will not be misled," the FO claimed. Pakistan's role as a facilitator to the ongoing peace process in Afghanistan has been widely acknowledged by the relevant international partners, it said. "We wish to reiterate that all relevant partner countries must guard against such attempts, while supporting the process for an inclusive and comprehensive political settlement in Afghanistan," it added.

Pakistan rejects UN report which claimed its terror groups operating in Afghanistan

United Nations report says that there are 6,500 Pakistani insurgents in Afghanistan. The monitoring team's annual report to the United Nation's Security Council has said that out of 6,500 radicals over 1000 belong to Pakistan terror groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba. Watch report.

WION Dispatch: 6,500 Pakistani insurgents in Afghanistan, Taliban defies landmark peace deal

Government of Pakistan has removed names of around 4,000 terrorists from its watchlist, according to a US-based Artificial Intelligence (AI) start-up that automates watchlist compliance.

One of the removed names is that of the 2008 Mumbai attack mastermind and LeT operations commander Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi.

The list in 2018 contained about 7,600 names. It has been reduced to under 3,800 in the past 18 months, according to Castellum.AI, a New York-based regulatory technology company.

According to reports, govt says that this is an effort to meet its obligations ahead of a new round of assessments by a global anti-money-laundering watchdog.

Pakistan has been under increased monitoring from the FATF since June 2018. If it fails to make progress on an action plan developed by the organization, FATF members could vote to further restrict the country’s access to the international financial system.

Government of Pakistan has removed names of around 4,000 terrorists from its watchlist, according to a US-based Artificial Intelligence (AI) start-up that automates watchlist compliance.

Government of Pakistan has removed names of around 4,000 terrorists from its watchlist, according to a US-based Artificial Intelligence (AI) start-up that automates watchlist compliance. One of the removed names is that of the 2008 Mumbai attack mastermind and LeT operations commander Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi. The list in 2018 contained about 7,600 names. It has been reduced to under 3,800 in the past 18 months, according to Castellum.AI, a New York-based regulatory technology company. According to reports, govt says that this is an effort to meet its obligations ahead of a new round of assessments by a global anti-money-laundering watchdog. Pakistan has been under increased monitoring from the FATF since June 2018. If it fails to make progress on an action plan developed by the organization, FATF members could vote to further restrict the country’s access to the international financial system.

Pakistan drops nearly 4,000 terrorists’ names from its watchlist including one 26/11 mastermind: Report

A leader from Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) lambasted Pakistan for using the occupied territory as a "launching pad for terrorists" and extremists. Speaking on the sidelines of a conference titled, "State of Jammu Kashmir contemporary challenges to combat terrorism, extremism and human rights violations", exiled leader, Sardar Shaukat Ali Kashmiri asked Pakistan to "stop funding and breeding" the terrorists.

"Extremism and terrorism are big challenges in our region. So, we are trying our best to strengthen the civil society and highlight their miseries," said Sardar Shaukat Ali Kashmiri, Chairman of United Kashmir People's National Party (UKPNP).

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/india-pakistan-tension-unless-nation-presents-united-front-terrorism-will-not-be-defeated-200191">India-Pakistan tension: Unless nation presents united front, terrorism will not be defeated</a>

"We are trying to and put pressure on Pakistan through world community that it should stop funding and supporting terrorism, and the terrorist`s infrastructure must be dismantled in PoK and Pakistan should stop funding them", said Kashmiri.

The event organized by Jammu Kashmir International People's Alliance (JKIPA) was attended by human rights experts, intellectuals and diplomats.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pakistan-uses-terrorism-as-tool-of-state-policy-army-chief-naravane-271301">Pakistan uses terrorism as tool of state policy: Army Chief Naravane</a>

Pakistan has backed terror groups like Laskar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed to set up terror camps in PoK, near the Line of Control (LoC) and make them infiltrate into the Kashmir valley.

Cross-border infiltration by these terrorists results in the exchange of firing between the security forces on both sides of the border. Kashmiri said the people living in the border areas also suffer due to cross-border firing.

"The people of PoK are suffering too much because when the extremists or the militants infiltrate into another part of Jammu and Kashmir, ultimately the Indian military stop them through firing and Pakistan also engage with the Indian Army. Both sides, whether it is another part of Kashmir or this part of Kashmir, the people are dying", said the PoK leader.

He added, "We are trying to save our people. Stop the infiltrations. Pakistan must stop the policy of using extremists and terrorists".

At the conference, a resolution was also passed reiterating commitment to oppose all forms of terrorism, extremism, fundamentalism in PoK and in Jammu and Kashmir.

A leader from Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) lambasted Pakistan for using the occupied territory as a "launching pad for terrorists" and extremists. Speaking on the sidelines of a conference titled, "State of Jammu Kashmir contemporary challenges to combat terrorism, extremism and human rights violations", exiled leader, Sardar Shaukat Ali Kashmiri asked Pakistan to "stop funding and breeding" the terrorists.

A leader from Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) lambasted Pakistan for using the occupied territory as a "launching pad for terrorists" and extremists. Speaking on the sidelines of a conference titled, "State of Jammu Kashmir contemporary challenges to combat terrorism, extremism and human rights violations", exiled leader, Sardar Shaukat Ali Kashmiri asked Pakistan to "stop funding and breeding" the terrorists. "Extremism and terrorism are big challenges in our region. So, we are trying our best to strengthen the civil society and highlight their miseries," said Sardar Shaukat Ali Kashmiri, Chairman of United Kashmir People's National Party (UKPNP). Also read: India-Pakistan tension: Unless nation presents united front, terrorism will not be defeated "We are trying to and put pressure on Pakistan through world community that it should stop funding and supporting terrorism, and the terrorist`s infrastructure must be dismantled in PoK and Pakistan should stop funding them", said Kashmiri. The event organized by Jammu Kashmir International People's Alliance (JKIPA) was attended by human rights experts, intellectuals and diplomats. Also read: Pakistan uses terrorism as tool of state policy: Army Chief Naravane Pakistan has backed terror groups like Laskar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed to set up terror camps in PoK, near the Line of Control (LoC) and make them infiltrate into the Kashmir valley. Cross-border infiltration by these terrorists results in the exchange of firing between the security forces on both sides of the border. Kashmiri said the people living in the border areas also suffer due to cross-border firing. "The people of PoK are suffering too much because when the extremists or the militants infiltrate into another part of Jammu and Kashmir, ultimately the Indian military stop them through firing and Pakistan also engage with the Indian Army. Both sides, whether it is another part of Kashmir or this part of Kashmir, the people are dying", said the PoK leader. He added, "We are trying to save our people. Stop the infiltrations. Pakistan must stop the policy of using extremists and terrorists". At the conference, a resolution was also passed reiterating commitment to oppose all forms of terrorism, extremism, fundamentalism in PoK and in Jammu and Kashmir.

Pakistan must dismantle terror infrastructure in PoK, says exiled leader

Pakistan has failed to complete 25 of the 27 action points given by the international <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-to-stay-on-fatfs-grey-list-official-to-wion-222508">terror financing watchdog FATF</a> to check funding to terrorist groups such as LeT and JeM and frontal groups like Jamat-ud-Dawah and Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation.

With this, multilateral lenders like the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistans-currency-reaches-all-time-low-against-us-dollar-219221"> IMF</a>, the World Bank and the EU may continue downgrading Pakistan, making its financial situation more precarious.

The Paris-headquartered Financial Action Task Force has asked Pakistan to explain whether it has launched any investigation into the seven million US dollars allocated to maintain schools, madrasas, clinics and ambulances originally operated by terror groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/jk-three-jem-terrorists-shot-in-pulwama-encounter-soldier-civilian-also-killed-219169">Jaish-e-Mohammed</a>, and LeT fronts Jamat-ud-Dawah and Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation.

JuD and FIF are founded by terror mastermind Hafiz Saeed.

LeT is responsible for a number of terrorist strikes in India, including the 2008 Mumbai attacks and the hijacking of an Indian Airlines aircraft to Afghanistan in 1999.

Most recently, it attacked a CRPF bus in Pulwama in Feb this year, killing 40 soldiers.

Pakistan is in deep trouble at the FATF meeting beginning Sunday in Florida in the US, people aware of the development said.

"It has been unable to complete 25 of its 27 action points. It has one last chance, till its 15-month deadline ends in October 2019, when the FATF Plenary will be held," one of them added.

In June 2018, Pakistan was placed in the 'Gray' list and given a 27-point action plan by FATF. This plan was reviewed at the last plenary in October 2018 and for the second time in February this year, when the country was again put into the 'Gray' list after India submitted new information about Pakistan-based terrorist groups.

The FATF continuing Pakistan in the 'Gray' list means its downgrading by IMF, World Bank, ADB, EU and also a reduction in risk rating by Moody's, S&amp;P and Fitch.

This will add to the financial problems of Pakistan, which is seeking aid from all possible international avenues.

In a bid to bluff the financial watchdog, Pakistani authorities have shown arrests of LeT, JeM, JuD and FiF cadres. But all were apprehended under its Maintenance of Public Order Act and not under the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997.

Under the MPO Act, authorities cannot hold a detainee beyond 60 days.

Pakistan has detained JeM founder Masood Azhar and LeT founder Hafiz Saeed mostly under the laws that provide for detention for the apprehension of breach of peace; they have never been prosecuted under anti-terror laws.

The FATF implements UN designations, which do not warrant arrest. They ask only for the freeze of funds, denial of access to weapons and travel embargo. The financial watchdog also wants nations to impose penalties that are proportionate and dissuasive.

The MPO Act is not seen as satisfying either of the two conditions. Therefore, none of these arrests will satisfy the FATF or the UN Designations Committee.

Pakistan has also seized several hundred properties of LeT, JuD, FiF and JeM, including schools and madrasas.

However, these properties are now being run by its provincial governments.

The Punjab provincial government has allocated $2 million (Pakistani Rs 30 crore or Indian Rs 14 crore) per annum for their upkeep. Similarly, other provinces have allocated&nbsp;5 million US dollars.

The annual expense allocated by Pakistan totals $7 million (Pakistani Rs 105 or Indian Rs 49 crore).

The FATF has now asked Pakistan to explain whether there are any terror-funding investigations to unearth the sources and entities that funded these organisations with $7 million per annum for the past several years.

The FATF currently has 35 members and two regional organisations,&nbsp;the European Commission and the Gulf Cooperation Council.

In the last meeting of the FATF in Paris, the FATF said Pakistan should continue to work on implementing its action plan to address its strategic deficiencies, including by adequately demonstrating its proper understanding of the terror financing risks posed by the terrorist groups and conducting supervision on a risk-sensitive basis, demonstrating that remedial actions and sanctions are applied in cases of Anti-Money Laundering and Combating Financing of Terrorism violations and that these actions have an effect on AML/CFT compliance by financial institutions.

Pakistan, it said, should demonstrate that competent authorities are cooperating and taking action to identify and take enforcement action against illegal money or value transfer services, demonstrating that authorities are identifying cash couriers and enforcing controls on illicit movement of currency and understanding the risk of cash couriers being used for terror financing (TF), improving inter-agency coordination including between provincial and federal authorities on combating TF risks besides others.

Pakistan has failed to complete 25 of the 27 action points given by the international terror financing watchdog FATF to check funding to terrorist groups such as LeT and JeM and frontal groups like Jamat-ud-Dawah and Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation.

Pakistan has failed to complete 25 of the 27 action points given by the international terror financing watchdog FATF to check funding to terrorist groups such as LeT and JeM and frontal groups like Jamat-ud-Dawah and Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation. With this, multilateral lenders like the IMF, the World Bank and the EU may continue downgrading Pakistan, making its financial situation more precarious. The Paris-headquartered Financial Action Task Force has asked Pakistan to explain whether it has launched any investigation into the seven million US dollars allocated to maintain schools, madrasas, clinics and ambulances originally operated by terror groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and LeT fronts Jamat-ud-Dawah and Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation. JuD and FIF are founded by terror mastermind Hafiz Saeed. LeT is responsible for a number of terrorist strikes in India, including the 2008 Mumbai attacks and the hijacking of an Indian Airlines aircraft to Afghanistan in 1999. Most recently, it attacked a CRPF bus in Pulwama in Feb this year, killing 40 soldiers. Pakistan is in deep trouble at the FATF meeting beginning Sunday in Florida in the US, people aware of the development said. "It has been unable to complete 25 of its 27 action points. It has one last chance, till its 15-month deadline ends in October 2019, when the FATF Plenary will be held," one of them added. In June 2018, Pakistan was placed in the 'Gray' list and given a 27-point action plan by FATF. This plan was reviewed at the last plenary in October 2018 and for the second time in February this year, when the country was again put into the 'Gray' list after India submitted new information about Pakistan-based terrorist groups. The FATF continuing Pakistan in the 'Gray' list means its downgrading by IMF, World Bank, ADB, EU and also a reduction in risk rating by Moody's, S&P and Fitch. This will add to the financial problems of Pakistan, which is seeking aid from all possible international avenues. In a bid to bluff the financial watchdog, Pakistani authorities have shown arrests of LeT, JeM, JuD and FiF cadres. But all were apprehended under its Maintenance of Public Order Act and not under the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997. Under the MPO Act, authorities cannot hold a detainee beyond 60 days. Pakistan has detained JeM founder Masood Azhar and LeT founder Hafiz Saeed mostly under the laws that provide for detention for the apprehension of breach of peace; they have never been prosecuted under anti-terror laws. The FATF implements UN designations, which do not warrant arrest. They ask only for the freeze of funds, denial of access to weapons and travel embargo. The financial watchdog also wants nations to impose penalties that are proportionate and dissuasive. The MPO Act is not seen as satisfying either of the two conditions. Therefore, none of these arrests will satisfy the FATF or the UN Designations Committee. Pakistan has also seized several hundred properties of LeT, JuD, FiF and JeM, including schools and madrasas. However, these properties are now being run by its provincial governments. The Punjab provincial government has allocated $2 million (Pakistani Rs 30 crore or Indian Rs 14 crore) per annum for their upkeep. Similarly, other provinces have allocated 5 million US dollars. The annual expense allocated by Pakistan totals $7 million (Pakistani Rs 105 or Indian Rs 49 crore). The FATF has now asked Pakistan to explain whether there are any terror-funding investigations to unearth the sources and entities that funded these organisations with $7 million per annum for the past several years. The FATF currently has 35 members and two regional organisations, the European Commission and the Gulf Cooperation Council. In the last meeting of the FATF in Paris, the FATF said Pakistan should continue to work on implementing its action plan to address its strategic deficiencies, including by adequately demonstrating its proper understanding of the terror financing risks posed by the terrorist groups and conducting supervision on a risk-sensitive basis, demonstrating that remedial actions and sanctions are applied in cases of Anti-Money Laundering and Combating Financing of Terrorism violations and that these actions have an effect on AML/CFT compliance by financial institutions. Pakistan, it said, should demonstrate that competent authorities are cooperating and taking action to identify and take enforcement action against illegal money or value transfer services, demonstrating that authorities are identifying cash couriers and enforcing controls on illicit movement of currency and understanding the risk of cash couriers being used for terror financing (TF), improving inter-agency coordination including between provincial and federal authorities on combating TF risks besides others.

Pakistan fails to complete points given by terror financing watchdog FATF: Report

Pakistan Army on Monday admitted the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/iran-calls-upon-pakistan-to-take-concrete-action-against-terrorists-operating-from-its-soil-202307">presence of terrorists</a> and Jihadi elements in its country, saying that there is a need to "do a lot" to curb terrorism.

"We have proscribed violent extremist organisations and Jihadist groups and we have been taking action against them," said Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major General Asif Ghafoor at a press conference here on Monday.

Major General Ghafoor said that there is a need to "do a lot" to curb terrorism as Islamabad so far has "suffered losses. We have lost millions of dollar due to terrorism." "There is still a lot to do against terrorism," he added.

He also admitted that previous <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-taking-no-action-on-terror-talks-of-brotherhood-but-sends-terrorist-afghan-nsa-202827">governments failed to curb terrorism</a> and due to which Pakistan lost its "millions of dollars."

"The state was busy conducting kinetic operations and every law enforcement agency was busy in that. Which is why we were not able to strategise against these (banned) organisations the way we are doing today," Ghafoor said.

Major General Ghafoor also blamed India's Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) for allegedly funding Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM), a human rights movement of the Pashtun community against Pakistani security establishments for violating their human rights.

"On the PTM website, they have got a number that states the number of funds they have collected from Pashtuns around the world. But tell us how much money you got from the NDS (Afghan National Directorate of Security) to run your campaign. How much money did RAW give you for the first dharna in Islamabad," he asked.

Major General Ghafoor's remark assumes significance as India has clarified that any talks with Islamabad will be possible only when Pakistan takes concrete actions against terrorists operating from its land.

India has toughened its stand following February 14 Pulwama terrorist attack by Pakistan-backed Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) on the convoy of CRPF in which 44 jawans were killed.

The two countries were close to having a dangerous confrontation following Balakot airstrikes of February 26, when the Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft crossed the Line of Control to attack JeM's training camp in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan.

Talking about the confusion over the number of IAF pilots captured after India conducted pre-emptive airstrikes deep in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, he said: "Initially, we got information through the proper channel. Then on the ground, I personally found that only one person had been captured and I sent out the correction myself. How is it that you are ready to accept one of our statements, and not the other one?"

In a veiled threat to India, Major General Ghafoor asked New Delhi not test Pakistan's "resolve." "We have not retaliated in the past because we want peace," he said.

Pakistan Army on Monday admitted the presence of terrorists and Jihadi elements in its country, saying that there is a need to "do a lot" to curb terrorism. "We have proscribed violent extremist organisations and Jihadist groups and we have been taking action against them," said Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major General Asif Ghafoor at a press conference here on Monday.

Pakistan Army on Monday admitted the presence of terrorists and Jihadi elements in its country, saying that there is a need to "do a lot" to curb terrorism. "We have proscribed violent extremist organisations and Jihadist groups and we have been taking action against them," said Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major General Asif Ghafoor at a press conference here on Monday. Major General Ghafoor said that there is a need to "do a lot" to curb terrorism as Islamabad so far has "suffered losses. We have lost millions of dollar due to terrorism." "There is still a lot to do against terrorism," he added. He also admitted that previous governments failed to curb terrorism and due to which Pakistan lost its "millions of dollars." "The state was busy conducting kinetic operations and every law enforcement agency was busy in that. Which is why we were not able to strategise against these (banned) organisations the way we are doing today," Ghafoor said. Major General Ghafoor also blamed India's Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) for allegedly funding Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM), a human rights movement of the Pashtun community against Pakistani security establishments for violating their human rights. "On the PTM website, they have got a number that states the number of funds they have collected from Pashtuns around the world. But tell us how much money you got from the NDS (Afghan National Directorate of Security) to run your campaign. How much money did RAW give you for the first dharna in Islamabad," he asked. Major General Ghafoor's remark assumes significance as India has clarified that any talks with Islamabad will be possible only when Pakistan takes concrete actions against terrorists operating from its land. India has toughened its stand following February 14 Pulwama terrorist attack by Pakistan-backed Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) on the convoy of CRPF in which 44 jawans were killed. The two countries were close to having a dangerous confrontation following Balakot airstrikes of February 26, when the Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft crossed the Line of Control to attack JeM's training camp in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. Talking about the confusion over the number of IAF pilots captured after India conducted pre-emptive airstrikes deep in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, he said: "Initially, we got information through the proper channel. Then on the ground, I personally found that only one person had been captured and I sent out the correction myself. How is it that you are ready to accept one of our statements, and not the other one?" In a veiled threat to India, Major General Ghafoor asked New Delhi not test Pakistan's "resolve." "We have not retaliated in the past because we want peace," he said.

Pakistan admits to presence of terrorists in its territory, says need to 'do a lot' to curb them

Two headlines this month beg the question US officials have been grappling with for more than a decade: Will the real Pakistan stand up, please?

Pakistan's The News reported that the government had designated Islamabad as a pilot project to regulate Friday prayer sermons in the city's 1,003 mosques, of which only 86 are state-controlled, in a bid to curb hate speech, extremism and demonisation of religions and communities.

The project is modelled on procedures in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt that are primarily intended to exert political control. The Islamabad project is in part designed to counter mounting criticism by the Trump administration, which has suspended funding to Pakistan, as well as growing unease in China over what Pakistani militancy could mean for its massive investment in the country.

It is also intended to support Pakistani efforts to evade blacklisting by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), a 37-member inter-governmental agency that polices adherence to anti-money laundering and funding of political violence measures.

The government has drawn up a list of 44 subjects on which prayer leaders should focus in their sermons. They include women rights, Muslim unity, Islamic principles of trade, cleanliness and health, concepts of an Islamic state, the importance of hard work, tolerance, and honesty, and the notion of the finality of the Prophet Mohammed.

The belief that Mohammed was the last prophet or Khatm-e-Nabuwwat is core to Muslim faith. Yet, it has allowed Sunni Muslim ultra-conservatives and others to whip up popular emotion in pursuit of political objectives, nowhere more so than in Pakistan where a draconian anti-blasphemy law has aided and abetted them.

The military late last year mediated an end to a weeks-long blockade of a main artery leading into Islamabad that disrupted traffic in multiple cities to protest a perceived softening of the government's adherence to Islam in a proposed piece of legislation. The protesters successfully called for the resignation of the justice minister for failing to refer to Prophet Mohammad in a constitutional bill.

The second headline reported that Islamabad High Court judge Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui demanded in a ruling that Parliament "take measures which can completely terminate those who scar (the belief in Khatm-e-Nabuwwat)."

Justice Siddiqui sits on the bench of a courthouse that last year had graffiti in a corridor demanding that blasphemers be beheaded. Siddiqui, who has defined blasphemers as terrorists, was ruling in a case brought before him by some of the protesters who had blockaded traffic that would effectively bar from public service Ahmadis, a sect considered heretic by orthodox Muslims because it views its 19th century founder, Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, as a prophet.

Pressured by Saudi Arabia, Pakistan in 1974 excommunicated Ahmadis in a constitutional amendment that enshrined the principle of Khatm-e-Nabuwwat as integral to the Islamic faith. Pakistani President Zia ul-Haq criminalised Ahmadi practices a decade later by barring Ahmadis from "posing as Muslims" or using Islamic titles, greetings, scriptures or calls to prayer.

Siddiqui's ruling appeared to contradict the government's effort to get a grip on expressions of Sunni Muslim supremacism that amount to hate speech and discrimination of the other in a country in which extremism has been fuelled by intolerant, anti-pluralistic views.

The ruling, despite paying lip service to constitutional guarantees of "complete religious freedom, including all the basic rights of the minorities (non-Muslims)" and the state's obligation to "protect their life, wealth, property, dignity and protect their assets as citizens of Pakistan," spotlights contradictions in the constitution.

On one hand, the constitution recognises the principle of Khatm-e-Nabuwwat. On the other, Article 20 enshrines the notion of freedom of religion while Article 27 bans discrimination in recruitment for public office.

Without explicitly identifying Ahmadis, Siddiqui said it was "alarming" that "one of the minorities" was "often mistaken for being Muslims" due to their names and general attire. He warned that this "can lead them to gain access to dignified and sensitive posts, along with benefits."

Human rights activists and lawyers have called for the ruling to be challenged in the Supreme Court. "This is clear hate speech. What is the judge asking them to be terminated from? Their jobs? Doesn’t that take away their basic right to life and dignity?" said lawyer and human rights activist Jibran Nasir.

The plaintiffs in Siddiqui's case were supporters of Tehreek Labbaik Pakistan (TPL), a political front for Tehreek Labbaik Ya Rasool Allah (TLR), which glorifies Mumtaz Qadri, who was executed in 2016 for killing Punjab governor Salman Taseer because of his opposition to Pakistan's blasphemy law.

Tens of thousands attended Qadri's funeral and his supporters have built a well-frequented shrine to honour him in his home town. Lawyers associated with TPL have instigated multiple blasphemy cases in Pakistani courts.

The Lahore-based Centre for Social Justice estimated that at least 1,472 people have been charged with blasphemy 1987 and 2016. Of the 730 Muslims charged, 501 were Ahmadis.

Activists and scholars argue that a rollback of the country's blasphemy law which applies the death sentence to those convicted is a requirement if Pakistan is serious about combating extremism. A study by political scientist Nilay Saiya of 51 Muslim majority countries concluded that those that enforced ant-blasphemy laws were more susceptible to political violence.

"Both the concept of blasphemy and the prescription of any sort of punishment for its occurrence stand contrary to the Qu'ran... The modern invocation of religious defamation laws stems from political leaders in Muslim-majority states... who have exploited such laws as a crafty way to use religion for political purposes including inflaming religious sensibilities, silencing criticism of the regime, generating patriotism, fostering national cohesion, co-opting Islamic supporters, and undercutting detractors," Saiya said.

Saiya argued that blasphemy laws encourage militants to attack with impunity individuals, homes, places of worship, and businesses of those believed to be blasphemers in the knowledge that the state will turn a blind eye to their actions.

"Violent non-state actors thus feel empowered to commit acts of terrorism with little or no fear of governmental reprisal because blasphemy laws, in effect, lend the authority of the state to religious figures and reinforce extreme views. Rather than control the forces of extremism, blasphemy laws appease and encourage them. The result, expectedly, is that states that attempt to curry favour with radicals embolden them to take matters into their own hands eventually such countries fall prey to violence carried out by those same radicals," Saiya said.

"The vagueness of the (Pakistani) language concerning blasphemy allowed radicals to interpret the code in very loose ways and open-endedly persecute those believed to be guilty of defiling, in any way, 'the sacred name of the Holy Prophet Muhammad'... Pakistan's blasphemy law thus opened the floodgate for extremism and terrorism which the government was unable to subsequently control," Saiya added.

Given Saiya's analysis, both headlines represent Pakistan. The problem, however, is that the Pakistan that wants to reign in supremacism, hate speech and extremism has little chance of succeeding with out far-reaching political and legal change that would uproot the vested interests of the Pakistan that sees religious and political militancy as a useful tool.

That may be a step too far for those interests even if they recognise a need to be seen to be advocating change with band-aid solutions like trying to control Friday prayer sermons.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the authors and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

The Pakistan that wants to reign in supremacism, hate speech and extremism has little chance of succeeding with out far-reaching political and legal change.

Two headlines this month beg the question US officials have been grappling with for more than a decade: Will the real Pakistan stand up, please? Pakistan's The News reported that the government had designated Islamabad as a pilot project to regulate Friday prayer sermons in the city's 1,003 mosques, of which only 86 are state-controlled, in a bid to curb hate speech, extremism and demonisation of religions and communities. The project is modelled on procedures in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt that are primarily intended to exert political control. The Islamabad project is in part designed to counter mounting criticism by the Trump administration, which has suspended funding to Pakistan, as well as growing unease in China over what Pakistani militancy could mean for its massive investment in the country. It is also intended to support Pakistani efforts to evade blacklisting by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), a 37-member inter-governmental agency that polices adherence to anti-money laundering and funding of political violence measures. The government has drawn up a list of 44 subjects on which prayer leaders should focus in their sermons. They include women rights, Muslim unity, Islamic principles of trade, cleanliness and health, concepts of an Islamic state, the importance of hard work, tolerance, and honesty, and the notion of the finality of the Prophet Mohammed. The belief that Mohammed was the last prophet or Khatm-e-Nabuwwat is core to Muslim faith. Yet, it has allowed Sunni Muslim ultra-conservatives and others to whip up popular emotion in pursuit of political objectives, nowhere more so than in Pakistan where a draconian anti-blasphemy law has aided and abetted them. The military late last year mediated an end to a weeks-long blockade of a main artery leading into Islamabad that disrupted traffic in multiple cities to protest a perceived softening of the government's adherence to Islam in a proposed piece of legislation. The protesters successfully called for the resignation of the justice minister for failing to refer to Prophet Mohammad in a constitutional bill. The second headline reported that Islamabad High Court judge Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui demanded in a ruling that Parliament "take measures which can completely terminate those who scar (the belief in Khatm-e-Nabuwwat)." Justice Siddiqui sits on the bench of a courthouse that last year had graffiti in a corridor demanding that blasphemers be beheaded. Siddiqui, who has defined blasphemers as terrorists, was ruling in a case brought before him by some of the protesters who had blockaded traffic that would effectively bar from public service Ahmadis, a sect considered heretic by orthodox Muslims because it views its 19th century founder, Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, as a prophet. Pressured by Saudi Arabia, Pakistan in 1974 excommunicated Ahmadis in a constitutional amendment that enshrined the principle of Khatm-e-Nabuwwat as integral to the Islamic faith. Pakistani President Zia ul-Haq criminalised Ahmadi practices a decade later by barring Ahmadis from "posing as Muslims" or using Islamic titles, greetings, scriptures or calls to prayer. Siddiqui's ruling appeared to contradict the government's effort to get a grip on expressions of Sunni Muslim supremacism that amount to hate speech and discrimination of the other in a country in which extremism has been fuelled by intolerant, anti-pluralistic views. The ruling, despite paying lip service to constitutional guarantees of "complete religious freedom, including all the basic rights of the minorities (non-Muslims)" and the state's obligation to "protect their life, wealth, property, dignity and protect their assets as citizens of Pakistan," spotlights contradictions in the constitution. On one hand, the constitution recognises the principle of Khatm-e-Nabuwwat. On the other, Article 20 enshrines the notion of freedom of religion while Article 27 bans discrimination in recruitment for public office. Without explicitly identifying Ahmadis, Siddiqui said it was "alarming" that "one of the minorities" was "often mistaken for being Muslims" due to their names and general attire. He warned that this "can lead them to gain access to dignified and sensitive posts, along with benefits." Human rights activists and lawyers have called for the ruling to be challenged in the Supreme Court. "This is clear hate speech. What is the judge asking them to be terminated from? Their jobs? Doesn’t that take away their basic right to life and dignity?" said lawyer and human rights activist Jibran Nasir. The plaintiffs in Siddiqui's case were supporters of Tehreek Labbaik Pakistan (TPL), a political front for Tehreek Labbaik Ya Rasool Allah (TLR), which glorifies Mumtaz Qadri, who was executed in 2016 for killing Punjab governor Salman Taseer because of his opposition to Pakistan's blasphemy law. Tens of thousands attended Qadri's funeral and his supporters have built a well-frequented shrine to honour him in his home town. Lawyers associated with TPL have instigated multiple blasphemy cases in Pakistani courts. The Lahore-based Centre for Social Justice estimated that at least 1,472 people have been charged with blasphemy 1987 and 2016. Of the 730 Muslims charged, 501 were Ahmadis. Activists and scholars argue that a rollback of the country's blasphemy law which applies the death sentence to those convicted is a requirement if Pakistan is serious about combating extremism. A study by political scientist Nilay Saiya of 51 Muslim majority countries concluded that those that enforced ant-blasphemy laws were more susceptible to political violence. "Both the concept of blasphemy and the prescription of any sort of punishment for its occurrence stand contrary to the Qu'ran... The modern invocation of religious defamation laws stems from political leaders in Muslim-majority states... who have exploited such laws as a crafty way to use religion for political purposes including inflaming religious sensibilities, silencing criticism of the regime, generating patriotism, fostering national cohesion, co-opting Islamic supporters, and undercutting detractors," Saiya said. Saiya argued that blasphemy laws encourage militants to attack with impunity individuals, homes, places of worship, and businesses of those believed to be blasphemers in the knowledge that the state will turn a blind eye to their actions. "Violent non-state actors thus feel empowered to commit acts of terrorism with little or no fear of governmental reprisal because blasphemy laws, in effect, lend the authority of the state to religious figures and reinforce extreme views. Rather than control the forces of extremism, blasphemy laws appease and encourage them. The result, expectedly, is that states that attempt to curry favour with radicals embolden them to take matters into their own hands eventually such countries fall prey to violence carried out by those same radicals," Saiya said. "The vagueness of the (Pakistani) language concerning blasphemy allowed radicals to interpret the code in very loose ways and open-endedly persecute those believed to be guilty of defiling, in any way, 'the sacred name of the Holy Prophet Muhammad'... Pakistan's blasphemy law thus opened the floodgate for extremism and terrorism which the government was unable to subsequently control," Saiya added. Given Saiya's analysis, both headlines represent Pakistan. The problem, however, is that the Pakistan that wants to reign in supremacism, hate speech and extremism has little chance of succeeding with out far-reaching political and legal change that would uproot the vested interests of the Pakistan that sees religious and political militancy as a useful tool. That may be a step too far for those interests even if they recognise a need to be seen to be advocating change with band-aid solutions like trying to control Friday prayer sermons. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the authors and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: Will the real Pakistan stand up, please?

Pakistan has taken action against all Islamist militants including the Haqqani network, the army spokesman said on Monday hours ahead of a US&nbsp;announcement on Afghan policy that could herald a tougher stance towards Islamabad.

&quot;There are no terrorist hideouts in Pakistan. We have operated against all terrorists, including (the) Haqqani network,&quot; spokesman Major General Asif Ghafoor told a media briefing in Islamabad.

He said evidence to that effect was shared with General Joseph Votel, chief of the US Central Command, who visited Pakistan over the weekend.

US officials say Afghan&#39;s Islamist Taliban insurgents and the allied Haqqani network, deemed the most lethal Afghan militant group, are supported by elements of Pakistan&#39;s military and top intelligence agency, a charge Islamabad denies.

US President Donald Trump was expected in an address to the nation due at 0100 GMT to address the future of relations with Islamabad, part of a review of policy on the protracted war in neighbouring Afghanistan.

With Taliban insurgent forces no nearer to defeat after more than 15 years of conflict, Trump was likely to announce a modest increase in US&nbsp;troop numbers in Afghanistan, a senior administration official said.

&quot;As regard to US policy, and even if it comes with certain coercive, you know, announcements, Pakistan shall do whatever is best in the national interest,&quot; Ghafoor said.

Votel met Pakistan&#39;s army chief, General Qamar Javed Bajwa, and on Saturday toured the Waziristan area that was long the base of local and foreign militants along the Afghan border, where Pakistan&#39;s military waged a campaign to drive them out.

Washington and Islamabad have at times had a rocky relationship, including over the secret US raid inside Pakistan in 2011 that killed Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.

Relations have been under scrutiny in Trump&#39;s lengthy review of a new strategy and troop levels in the fight against the Taliban and other Islamist militants in Afghanistan.

The statement from the Pakistani Army spokesperson comes before US President Trump is expected to unveil a new strategy in Afghanistan

Pakistan has taken action against all Islamist militants including the Haqqani network, the army spokesman said on Monday hours ahead of a US announcement on Afghan policy that could herald a tougher stance towards Islamabad. "There are no terrorist hideouts in Pakistan. We have operated against all terrorists, including (the) Haqqani network," spokesman Major General Asif Ghafoor told a media briefing in Islamabad. He said evidence to that effect was shared with General Joseph Votel, chief of the US Central Command, who visited Pakistan over the weekend. US officials say Afghan's Islamist Taliban insurgents and the allied Haqqani network, deemed the most lethal Afghan militant group, are supported by elements of Pakistan's military and top intelligence agency, a charge Islamabad denies. US President Donald Trump was expected in an address to the nation due at 0100 GMT to address the future of relations with Islamabad, part of a review of policy on the protracted war in neighbouring Afghanistan. With Taliban insurgent forces no nearer to defeat after more than 15 years of conflict, Trump was likely to announce a modest increase in US troop numbers in Afghanistan, a senior administration official said. "As regard to US policy, and even if it comes with certain coercive, you know, announcements, Pakistan shall do whatever is best in the national interest," Ghafoor said. Votel met Pakistan's army chief, General Qamar Javed Bajwa, and on Saturday toured the Waziristan area that was long the base of local and foreign militants along the Afghan border, where Pakistan's military waged a campaign to drive them out. Washington and Islamabad have at times had a rocky relationship, including over the secret US raid inside Pakistan in 2011 that killed Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. Relations have been under scrutiny in Trump's lengthy review of a new strategy and troop levels in the fight against the Taliban and other Islamist militants in Afghanistan.

Pakistan has cracked down on Islamist militants including Haqqani network: Army

In a move that imposes strict conditions on reimbursements by US for defence spending by Pakistan, the US House of Representatives voted for three amendments to its National Defence Authorisation Act, 2018, that make it conditional to Islamabad&#39;s satisfactory progress in the fight against terrorism. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The conditions are related to Pakistan&#39;s support to terrorists and terror outfits, about which several top US officials and lawmakers have repeatedly expressed concern about in the past.

The National Defence Authorisation Act, 2018, authorises defence spending for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2017 and was adopted by the House 344-81.

The bill, as passed by the House, requires the Secretary of Defence to certify, prior to making any reimbursement to Pakistan, that Islamabad is maintaining security along the Ground Lines of Communication through Pakistan, taking demonstrable steps to support counterterrorism operations, disrupting cross border attacks, and countering the threat of improvised explosive devices.

It also specifies that of the total amount of reimbursement and support authorised for Pakistan during the period beginning on October 1, 2017, and ending on December 31, 2018-- USD 400 million-- would not be eligible for a national security waiver unless the Secretary of Defence certifies that Pakistan continues to conduct military operations against the Haqqani Network in North Waziristan.

The Defence Secretary also needs to certify that Pakistan is demonstrating commitment to preventing the Haqqani network from using North Waziristan as a safe haven, and is actively coordinating with the Government of Afghanistan to restrict the movement of militants, including the Haqqani Network, along the Pak-Afghan border.

Two of these amendments were moved by Congressman Dana Rohrabacher and one by Ted Poe.

&quot;Today, Congress took a step forward to end Pakistan&#39;s betrayal of the US with the addition of an additional certification requirement,&quot; said Poe, a Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee and Chairman of Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation &amp; Trade.

One of Poe&#39;s amendment, as passed by the House proposes to withhold reimbursement funding for Pakistan unless the Secretary of Defence can certify that Pakistan is not providing military, financial, or logistical support to any individuals designated by the US as a terrorist operating in Pakistan or Afghanistan.

NDAA, as passed by the House, now requires that the Pentagon assess Pakistan&#39;s support for known terrorists before handing over US dollars to Islamabad, Poe said.

&quot;Making excess military equipment available to federal, state, and law enforcement agencies along our southern border will provide much-needed support and reinforcements to the men and women who are our first line of defence,&quot; he said.

&quot;It is well known that Pakistan is a Benedict Arnold ally who supports multiple terrorist organisations, including groups that target Americans working to stabilise Afghanistan.

&quot;But current limitations on military reimbursement funding to Pakistan only apply to one terrorist group: the Haqqani Network,&quot; Poe said in a statement.

The legislative amendment moved by Rohrabacher adds a stipulation requiring that, prior to the disbursement of certain funds, the Secretary of Defence certify to Congress that Pakistan is not using its military or any funds or equipment provided by the US to persecute minority groups seeking political or religious freedom.

Another Rohrabacher amendment expresses a sense of Congress that Shakil Afridi is an international hero and that the Government of Pakistan should release him immediately from prison.

&quot;Dr Shakil Afridi, a Pakistani physician, is a hero to whom the people of the United States, Pakistan and the world owe a debt of gratitude for his help in finally locating Osama bin Laden before 10 more innocent American, Pakistani and other lives were lost to this terrorist leader,&quot; the amendment said.

Pakistan&#39;s imprisonment of Afridi presents a serious and growing impediment to the United States&#39; bilateral relations with Pakistan, said the amendment as passed by the House of Representatives.

The conditions are related to Pakistan's support to terrorists and terror outfits, about which several top US officials and lawmakers have repeatedly expressed concern about

In a move that imposes strict conditions on reimbursements by US for defence spending by Pakistan, the US House of Representatives voted for three amendments to its National Defence Authorisation Act, 2018, that make it conditional to Islamabad's satisfactory progress in the fight against terrorism. The conditions are related to Pakistan's support to terrorists and terror outfits, about which several top US officials and lawmakers have repeatedly expressed concern about in the past. The National Defence Authorisation Act, 2018, authorises defence spending for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2017 and was adopted by the House 344-81. The bill, as passed by the House, requires the Secretary of Defence to certify, prior to making any reimbursement to Pakistan, that Islamabad is maintaining security along the Ground Lines of Communication through Pakistan, taking demonstrable steps to support counterterrorism operations, disrupting cross border attacks, and countering the threat of improvised explosive devices. It also specifies that of the total amount of reimbursement and support authorised for Pakistan during the period beginning on October 1, 2017, and ending on December 31, 2018-- USD 400 million-- would not be eligible for a national security waiver unless the Secretary of Defence certifies that Pakistan continues to conduct military operations against the Haqqani Network in North Waziristan. The Defence Secretary also needs to certify that Pakistan is demonstrating commitment to preventing the Haqqani network from using North Waziristan as a safe haven, and is actively coordinating with the Government of Afghanistan to restrict the movement of militants, including the Haqqani Network, along the Pak-Afghan border. Two of these amendments were moved by Congressman Dana Rohrabacher and one by Ted Poe. "Today, Congress took a step forward to end Pakistan's betrayal of the US with the addition of an additional certification requirement," said Poe, a Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee and Chairman of Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation & Trade. One of Poe's amendment, as passed by the House proposes to withhold reimbursement funding for Pakistan unless the Secretary of Defence can certify that Pakistan is not providing military, financial, or logistical support to any individuals designated by the US as a terrorist operating in Pakistan or Afghanistan. NDAA, as passed by the House, now requires that the Pentagon assess Pakistan's support for known terrorists before handing over US dollars to Islamabad, Poe said. "Making excess military equipment available to federal, state, and law enforcement agencies along our southern border will provide much-needed support and reinforcements to the men and women who are our first line of defence," he said. "It is well known that Pakistan is a Benedict Arnold ally who supports multiple terrorist organisations, including groups that target Americans working to stabilise Afghanistan. "But current limitations on military reimbursement funding to Pakistan only apply to one terrorist group: the Haqqani Network," Poe said in a statement. The legislative amendment moved by Rohrabacher adds a stipulation requiring that, prior to the disbursement of certain funds, the Secretary of Defence certify to Congress that Pakistan is not using its military or any funds or equipment provided by the US to persecute minority groups seeking political or religious freedom. Another Rohrabacher amendment expresses a sense of Congress that Shakil Afridi is an international hero and that the Government of Pakistan should release him immediately from prison. "Dr Shakil Afridi, a Pakistani physician, is a hero to whom the people of the United States, Pakistan and the world owe a debt of gratitude for his help in finally locating Osama bin Laden before 10 more innocent American, Pakistani and other lives were lost to this terrorist leader," the amendment said. Pakistan's imprisonment of Afridi presents a serious and growing impediment to the United States' bilateral relations with Pakistan, said the amendment as passed by the House of Representatives.

US imposes strict conditions on defence funding to Pakistan

Ahead of the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi&#39;s meeting with the US President Donald Trump, the US state department has designated Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin a specially designated global terrorist.&nbsp;

Syed Salahuddin is one of the most wanted terrorists in India. He heads the terrorist organisation Hizbul Mujahideen. He is also the head of the United Jehad Council which is an umbrella group of all anti-India terrorist organisations based out of Pakistan occupied Kashmir.

The move hints at United States&#39; resolve to tighten the noose around terrorist organisations operating in Pakistan.

The designation of Syed Salahuddin as a global terrorist would impose sanctions on him and bar any US citizen from engaging in any transaction with him.

The move will also lead to all of his property within the US jurisdiction getting blocked.

&quot;In September, 2016, Salahuddin vowed to block any peaceful resolution to the Kashmir conflict, threatened to train more Kashmiri suicide bombers, and vowed to turn the Kashmir valley &#39;into a graveyard for Indian forces,&#39;&quot; said the official statement of the US state department.

The designation of Syed Salahuddin as a global terrorist by the US state department shows the Trump administration's resolve in cracking down on terrorist groups operating out of Pakistan

Ahead of the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's meeting with the US President Donald Trump, the US state department has designated Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin a specially designated global terrorist. Syed Salahuddin is one of the most wanted terrorists in India. He heads the terrorist organisation Hizbul Mujahideen. He is also the head of the United Jehad Council which is an umbrella group of all anti-India terrorist organisations based out of Pakistan occupied Kashmir. The move hints at United States' resolve to tighten the noose around terrorist organisations operating in Pakistan. The designation of Syed Salahuddin as a global terrorist would impose sanctions on him and bar any US citizen from engaging in any transaction with him. The move will also lead to all of his property within the US jurisdiction getting blocked. "In September, 2016, Salahuddin vowed to block any peaceful resolution to the Kashmir conflict, threatened to train more Kashmiri suicide bombers, and vowed to turn the Kashmir valley 'into a graveyard for Indian forces,'" said the official statement of the US state department.

US designates Hizbul chief Syed Salahuddin as global terrorist

Unidentified gunmen riding a motorcycle killed three policemen at a checkpoint in southwest Pakistan on Sunday before fleeing the scene, authorities said, in the latest attack to target officials in restive Balochistan.

The incident occurred on the main Saryab Road of Quetta, the capital of Balochistan province which is wracked by separatist and Islamist violence, senior police official Abdul Razzaq Cheema told AFP.

Doctor Farid Sumalani, head of the Sandeman Provincial Hospital, confirmed the incident.

Quetta is the capital of Pakistan&#39;s mineral-rich Balochistan province which borders Iran and Afghanistan.

Pakistan has been battling Islamist and nationalist insurgencies in the province since 2004, with hundreds of soldiers and militants killed in the fighting.

The shooting came days after the Islamic State group said it had killed two Chinese citizens who were kidnapped last month by armed gunmen in Quetta.

The jihadist group made the claim in a brief Arabic message carried by its Amaq news agency on Thursday, though there was no immediate confirmation from Chinese or Pakistani officials.

Beijing is ramping up investment in its South Asian neighbour as part of a plan unveiled in 2015 that will link its far-western Xinjiang region to Gwadar port in Balochistan&nbsp;with a series of infrastructure, power and transport upgrades.

IS has been making inroads in the country through alliances with local militant outfits such as the sectarian Lashkar-e-Jhangvi and Jamaat-ul-Ahrar groups, though its presence is generally downplayed by the government.

(AFP)

The shooting came days after the Islamic State group said it had killed two Chinese citizens who were kidnapped last month from restive Balochistan

Unidentified gunmen riding a motorcycle killed three policemen at a checkpoint in southwest Pakistan on Sunday before fleeing the scene, authorities said, in the latest attack to target officials in restive Balochistan. The incident occurred on the main Saryab Road of Quetta, the capital of Balochistan province which is wracked by separatist and Islamist violence, senior police official Abdul Razzaq Cheema told AFP. Doctor Farid Sumalani, head of the Sandeman Provincial Hospital, confirmed the incident. Quetta is the capital of Pakistan's mineral-rich Balochistan province which borders Iran and Afghanistan. Pakistan has been battling Islamist and nationalist insurgencies in the province since 2004, with hundreds of soldiers and militants killed in the fighting. The shooting came days after the Islamic State group said it had killed two Chinese citizens who were kidnapped last month by armed gunmen in Quetta. The jihadist group made the claim in a brief Arabic message carried by its Amaq news agency on Thursday, though there was no immediate confirmation from Chinese or Pakistani officials. Beijing is ramping up investment in its South Asian neighbour as part of a plan unveiled in 2015 that will link its far-western Xinjiang region to Gwadar port in Balochistan with a series of infrastructure, power and transport upgrades. IS has been making inroads in the country through alliances with local militant outfits such as the sectarian Lashkar-e-Jhangvi and Jamaat-ul-Ahrar groups, though its presence is generally downplayed by the government. (AFP)

Pakistan: Gunmen kill three policemen at Balochistan checkpoint

A bomb exploded outside a girls` school in northwestern Pakistan early Monday, wounding two police officers but injuring no students as classes had not yet begun, authorities said.

The bomb at the school in a suburb of Peshawar, capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, detonated as a counter-terrorism police vehicle drove by, officials said.

&quot;Two counter-terrorism department personnel were wounded in the IED (improvise explosive device),&quot; Peshawar police chief Mohammad Tahir told AFP.

A second device was found nearby but was defused, he said.

The blast damaged the main gate of the school and some walls inside, Tahir added.

No group has yet claimed the responsibility for the attack, but Taliban militants opposed to girls` education have bombed hundreds of school in the northwest and tribal areas bordering Afghanistan.

Peshawar, which has suffered for years from militancy and unrest, was the site of Pakistan`s deadliest ever attack, a Taliban assault on an army-run school in 2014 that left more than 150 people dead, most of them children.

That bloodshed scarred Pakistanis, already grimly accustomed to atrocities, spurring a crackdown that has seen militant violence drop significantly in the past two years.&nbsp;

(AFP)

A second device was found nearby but was defused, Peshawar police chief said

A bomb exploded outside a girls` school in northwestern Pakistan early Monday, wounding two police officers but injuring no students as classes had not yet begun, authorities said. The bomb at the school in a suburb of Peshawar, capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, detonated as a counter-terrorism police vehicle drove by, officials said. "Two counter-terrorism department personnel were wounded in the IED (improvise explosive device)," Peshawar police chief Mohammad Tahir told AFP. A second device was found nearby but was defused, he said. The blast damaged the main gate of the school and some walls inside, Tahir added. No group has yet claimed the responsibility for the attack, but Taliban militants opposed to girls` education have bombed hundreds of school in the northwest and tribal areas bordering Afghanistan. Peshawar, which has suffered for years from militancy and unrest, was the site of Pakistan`s deadliest ever attack, a Taliban assault on an army-run school in 2014 that left more than 150 people dead, most of them children. That bloodshed scarred Pakistanis, already grimly accustomed to atrocities, spurring a crackdown that has seen militant violence drop significantly in the past two years. (AFP)

Two police hurt as bomb explodes outside Pakistani girls' school

China, at the behest of Pakistan, has prevented the United Nations (UN) from listing a prominent Pakistani militant as a globally designated terrorist. Beijing&rsquo;s protection of Masood Azhar, who is believed to have close ties to Pakistani intelligence and the military, raises questions about the sincerity of a Pakistani crackdown on militants as well as China&rsquo;s willingness to use its influence to persuade Islamabad to put an end to the use of militant proxies.

&nbsp;

The United States, Britain, France and India have long wanted the United Nations Security Council sanctions committee to designate Azhar as a terrorist on the grounds that his organisation, Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), has already been proscribed by Pakistan as well as the international body.

&nbsp;

Who is Masood Azhar?

Azhar, a fighter in the anti-Soviet war in Afghanistan and an Islamic scholar who graduated from a Deobandi madrassa, is believed to have been responsible for an attack in 2016 on India&rsquo;s Pathankot Air Force Station. The militants, dressed in Indian military uniforms, fought a 14-hour battle against Indian security forces that only ended when the last attacker was killed. Azhar was briefly detained after the attack and has since gone underground.

&nbsp;

Azhar, who was freed from an Indian prison in 1999 in exchange for the release of passengers of a hijacked Indian Airlines flight, is also believed to be responsible for an attack in 2001 on the Indian parliament in New Delhi that brought Pakistan and India to the brink of war.

&nbsp;

Despite being banned, JeM continues to publicly raise funds and recruit fighters in mosques. Indian journalist Praveen Swami quoted Mufti Abdul Rauf Asghar&mdash;Azhar&rsquo;s elder brother&mdash;as telling worshippers gathered in a mosque in Punjab in late January 2017 to commemorate a militant who had been killed in India: &ldquo;Islam is a world power and cannot be destroyed. Whoever tries to destroy it will be destroyed himself. Jihad is the most important obligation of our faith.&rdquo;

&nbsp;

Pakistani indulgence of JeM and Chinese connivance in preventing Azhar&mdash;a portly bespectacled son of a Bahawalpur religious studies teacher and author of a four-volume treatise on jihad as well as books with titles like Forty Diseases of the Jews&mdash;from being designated as a terrorist has raised eyebrows in both Pakistani and Chinese policy circles.

&nbsp;

Opening a window on apparent differences between civilian and military branches of government, Pakistani Foreign Minister Aizaz Chaudhry last year reportedly warned a gathering of political, military and intelligence leaders that Pakistan risked international isolation if it failed to crack down on militant groups. Chaudhry noted that Pakistan&rsquo;s closest ally, China, with its massive $46 billion investment in Pakistani infrastructure as part of its One Belt, One Road initiative, was increasingly questioning the wisdom of protecting Azhar at Pakistan&rsquo;s behest.

&nbsp;

In 2016, Chinese Vice-Foreign Minister Li Baodong defended his country&rsquo;s repeated shielding of Azhar by suggesting that attempts to designate the JeM amounted to using counterterrorism for political goals. &ldquo;China is opposed to all forms of terrorism. There should be no double standards on counter-terrorism. Nor should one pursue own political gains in the name of counter-terrorism,&rdquo; Li said.

&nbsp;

Chinese policy analysts, with close government ties, squirm when asked about China&rsquo;s repeated veto of efforts to designate Azhar. The analysts suggest that the Pakistani military and intelligence&rsquo;s use of proxies like Azhar in their dispute with India over Kashmir has sparked debate about the wisdom of sinking $46 billion into Pakistan.

&nbsp;

China&rsquo;s hopes that the investment in infrastructure would persuade the Pakistani military and intelligence to seriously back away from using militant proxies have so far remained unfulfilled.

&nbsp;

The investment is part of China&rsquo;s larger effort to link Eurasia to China through infrastructure. It expects that the linkage will spur economic development both in Pakistan and China&rsquo;s troubled northwestern province of Xinjiang, where Beijing&rsquo;s harsh measures against the cultural practices of the Uighurs have sought to preempt Islamist violence.

&nbsp;

Responding to the civilian government&rsquo;s effort to crackdown on Jaish-e-Mohammad, including last year&rsquo;s freezing of its accounts by the State Bank of Pakistan, Azhar defended the group&rsquo;s contribution to Pakistan&rsquo;s defense of Kashmir as well as the jihadist movement at large. &ldquo;When we entered the tent of the jihadist movement, it had no branch in Kashmir, nor was there lightning in Iraq or Syria. There were just two fronts, in Afghanistan and Palestine, one of them active and one of them shut. We have watched as the jihad we befriended grew from a glowing ember into the sun; from a small spring into a river, and now, as it is about to become a great ocean,&rdquo; Azhar wrote in the group&rsquo;s magazine.

&nbsp;

In 2016, a BBC investigative documentary traced jihadist thinking in Britain to a month-long visit to Britain in 1993 by Azhar, who at the time headed Pakistani militant group Harakat-ul-Mujahideen. Azhar gave 40 lectures during his fundraising and recruitment tour, and was feted by Islamic scholars from Britain&rsquo;s largest mosque network. More and more scholars joined his entourage as he toured the country before moving on to Saudi Arabia. A passionate and emotive speaker, women reportedly took off their jewelry and handed it to Azhar after listening to his speeches.

&nbsp;

&ldquo;It was Azhar, a Pakistani cleric, who was the first to spread the seeds of modern jihadist militancy in Britain &mdash; and it was through South Asian mosques belonging to the Deobandi movement that he did it,&rdquo; says BBC reporter Innes Bowen.

&nbsp;

Walking a fine line

Indian analysts believe that shielding Azhar serves China&rsquo;s purpose of keeping India preoccupied with the threat of political violence. China is also grateful for successful Pakistani efforts to stop the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (IOC) from criticizing Chinese policy in Xinjiang. Finally, the analysts say, protecting Azhar constitutes retaliation for India&rsquo;s hosting of the Dalai Lama.

&nbsp;

In defending Azhar with one eye on India, China is walking a fine line that threatens to undermine its massively funded policy objectives in Pakistan, a country that for years has been reeling from militancy which has fueled sectarianism at home and created militant groups that, at times, have turned on their Pakistani masters.

&nbsp;

By doing so, China risks allowing militancy to further fester in a country where militancy is not confined to small groups, but has been woven into the fabric of significant segments of society. Attempting to heal what is an open wound requires not only economic development, but also a Pakistani and Chinese counterterrorism strategy that refrains from making politically opportunistic compromises.

With Pakistan, China risks allowing militancy to fester in a country where militancy is not confined to small groups

China, at the behest of Pakistan, has prevented the United Nations (UN) from listing a prominent Pakistani militant as a globally designated terrorist. Beijing’s protection of Masood Azhar, who is believed to have close ties to Pakistani intelligence and the military, raises questions about the sincerity of a Pakistani crackdown on militants as well as China’s willingness to use its influence to persuade Islamabad to put an end to the use of militant proxies. The United States, Britain, France and India have long wanted the United Nations Security Council sanctions committee to designate Azhar as a terrorist on the grounds that his organisation, Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), has already been proscribed by Pakistan as well as the international body. Who is Masood Azhar? Azhar, a fighter in the anti-Soviet war in Afghanistan and an Islamic scholar who graduated from a Deobandi madrassa, is believed to have been responsible for an attack in 2016 on India’s Pathankot Air Force Station. The militants, dressed in Indian military uniforms, fought a 14-hour battle against Indian security forces that only ended when the last attacker was killed. Azhar was briefly detained after the attack and has since gone underground. Azhar, who was freed from an Indian prison in 1999 in exchange for the release of passengers of a hijacked Indian Airlines flight, is also believed to be responsible for an attack in 2001 on the Indian parliament in New Delhi that brought Pakistan and India to the brink of war. Despite being banned, JeM continues to publicly raise funds and recruit fighters in mosques. Indian journalist Praveen Swami quoted Mufti Abdul Rauf Asghar—Azhar’s elder brother—as telling worshippers gathered in a mosque in Punjab in late January 2017 to commemorate a militant who had been killed in India: “Islam is a world power and cannot be destroyed. Whoever tries to destroy it will be destroyed himself. Jihad is the most important obligation of our faith.” Pakistani indulgence of JeM and Chinese connivance in preventing Azhar—a portly bespectacled son of a Bahawalpur religious studies teacher and author of a four-volume treatise on jihad as well as books with titles like Forty Diseases of the Jews—from being designated as a terrorist has raised eyebrows in both Pakistani and Chinese policy circles. Opening a window on apparent differences between civilian and military branches of government, Pakistani Foreign Minister Aizaz Chaudhry last year reportedly warned a gathering of political, military and intelligence leaders that Pakistan risked international isolation if it failed to crack down on militant groups. Chaudhry noted that Pakistan’s closest ally, China, with its massive $46 billion investment in Pakistani infrastructure as part of its One Belt, One Road initiative, was increasingly questioning the wisdom of protecting Azhar at Pakistan’s behest. In 2016, Chinese Vice-Foreign Minister Li Baodong defended his country’s repeated shielding of Azhar by suggesting that attempts to designate the JeM amounted to using counterterrorism for political goals. “China is opposed to all forms of terrorism. There should be no double standards on counter-terrorism. Nor should one pursue own political gains in the name of counter-terrorism,” Li said. Chinese policy analysts, with close government ties, squirm when asked about China’s repeated veto of efforts to designate Azhar. The analysts suggest that the Pakistani military and intelligence’s use of proxies like Azhar in their dispute with India over Kashmir has sparked debate about the wisdom of sinking $46 billion into Pakistan. China’s hopes that the investment in infrastructure would persuade the Pakistani military and intelligence to seriously back away from using militant proxies have so far remained unfulfilled. The investment is part of China’s larger effort to link Eurasia to China through infrastructure. It expects that the linkage will spur economic development both in Pakistan and China’s troubled northwestern province of Xinjiang, where Beijing’s harsh measures against the cultural practices of the Uighurs have sought to preempt Islamist violence. Responding to the civilian government’s effort to crackdown on Jaish-e-Mohammad, including last year’s freezing of its accounts by the State Bank of Pakistan, Azhar defended the group’s contribution to Pakistan’s defense of Kashmir as well as the jihadist movement at large. “When we entered the tent of the jihadist movement, it had no branch in Kashmir, nor was there lightning in Iraq or Syria. There were just two fronts, in Afghanistan and Palestine, one of them active and one of them shut. We have watched as the jihad we befriended grew from a glowing ember into the sun; from a small spring into a river, and now, as it is about to become a great ocean,” Azhar wrote in the group’s magazine. In 2016, a BBC investigative documentary traced jihadist thinking in Britain to a month-long visit to Britain in 1993 by Azhar, who at the time headed Pakistani militant group Harakat-ul-Mujahideen. Azhar gave 40 lectures during his fundraising and recruitment tour, and was feted by Islamic scholars from Britain’s largest mosque network. More and more scholars joined his entourage as he toured the country before moving on to Saudi Arabia. A passionate and emotive speaker, women reportedly took off their jewelry and handed it to Azhar after listening to his speeches. “It was Azhar, a Pakistani cleric, who was the first to spread the seeds of modern jihadist militancy in Britain — and it was through South Asian mosques belonging to the Deobandi movement that he did it,” says BBC reporter Innes Bowen. Walking a fine line Indian analysts believe that shielding Azhar serves China’s purpose of keeping India preoccupied with the threat of political violence. China is also grateful for successful Pakistani efforts to stop the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (IOC) from criticizing Chinese policy in Xinjiang. Finally, the analysts say, protecting Azhar constitutes retaliation for India’s hosting of the Dalai Lama. In defending Azhar with one eye on India, China is walking a fine line that threatens to undermine its massively funded policy objectives in Pakistan, a country that for years has been reeling from militancy which has fueled sectarianism at home and created militant groups that, at times, have turned on their Pakistani masters. By doing so, China risks allowing militancy to further fester in a country where militancy is not confined to small groups, but has been woven into the fabric of significant segments of society. Attempting to heal what is an open wound requires not only economic development, but also a Pakistani and Chinese counterterrorism strategy that refrains from making politically opportunistic compromises.

China blocks UN listing of Pakistani terrorist

Pakistan&#39;s top foreign policy&nbsp;official said&nbsp;today&nbsp;that pushing too fast against all Islamist militants in the country could lead to &quot;blowback&quot; in the form of more terrorist attacks.

Sartaj Aziz, Pakistan&#39;s federal cabinet in-charge of foreign affairs,&nbsp;sought to deflect criticism that Pakistan has not done enough to crack down on the Haqqani network and that it still shelters Afghan Taliban leaders, highlighted by the US&nbsp;drone strike that killed Taliban chief Mullah Akhtar Mansour in May.

Aziz said he would defend Pakistan&#39;s record of fighting militants when meeting this weekend with a US&nbsp;congressional delegation headed by Senator John McCain, chairman of the Senate Armed Forces Committee.

&quot;I think what we have achieved in these three years is quite remarkable,&quot; he said, citing the ongoing military operation to destroy militant hideouts in North Waziristan near the Afghan border.

&quot;But there are risks involved of how far we can go and in what sequence we should go and in what scale we should go.&quot;

The military operation in North Waziristan targeted loosely allied fighters, including the Pakistani branch of the Taliban - which fights to overthrow Pakistan&#39;s government.

Also based in the area were elements of the Afghan Taliban and the Haqqani network, which direct their attacks across the border to target the US-backed government in Afghanistan.

Critics, particularly in the US&nbsp;Congress, say Pakistan has spared the militants that limit their attacks to inside Afghanistan.

Sartaj said the military acted &quot;without distinguishing between &#39;good and bad&#39; Taliban&quot; but suggested that seeking a large-scale crackdown on all at once would overstretch the armed forces and lead to more terrorist attacks.

&quot;So we have to make sure that we move in a decisive way, but at a measured pace and according to our capacity, and ensuring that the blowback is manageable,&quot; he said.

He also downplayed strained relations with the US&nbsp;following the May 21 US&nbsp;drone strike that killed Mansour and Congress&#39;s blocking of financing for Pakistan to buy American F-16 fighter jets.

&quot;I don&#39;t see the relations are tense at the moment,&quot; Aziz said. &quot;They are moving in the right direction and there are of course differences, but I don&#39;t think there is any major crisis in the relationship.&quot; 
 
(Reuters)

Sartaj Aziz, Pakistan's top foreign policy official, said large-scale crackdown would overstretch the armed forces and lead to more attacks

Pakistan's top foreign policy official said today that pushing too fast against all Islamist militants in the country could lead to "blowback" in the form of more terrorist attacks. Sartaj Aziz, Pakistan's federal cabinet in-charge of foreign affairs, sought to deflect criticism that Pakistan has not done enough to crack down on the Haqqani network and that it still shelters Afghan Taliban leaders, highlighted by the US drone strike that killed Taliban chief Mullah Akhtar Mansour in May. Aziz said he would defend Pakistan's record of fighting militants when meeting this weekend with a US congressional delegation headed by Senator John McCain, chairman of the Senate Armed Forces Committee. "I think what we have achieved in these three years is quite remarkable," he said, citing the ongoing military operation to destroy militant hideouts in North Waziristan near the Afghan border. "But there are risks involved of how far we can go and in what sequence we should go and in what scale we should go." The military operation in North Waziristan targeted loosely allied fighters, including the Pakistani branch of the Taliban - which fights to overthrow Pakistan's government. Also based in the area were elements of the Afghan Taliban and the Haqqani network, which direct their attacks across the border to target the US-backed government in Afghanistan. Critics, particularly in the US Congress, say Pakistan has spared the militants that limit their attacks to inside Afghanistan. Sartaj said the military acted "without distinguishing between 'good and bad' Taliban" but suggested that seeking a large-scale crackdown on all at once would overstretch the armed forces and lead to more terrorist attacks. "So we have to make sure that we move in a decisive way, but at a measured pace and according to our capacity, and ensuring that the blowback is manageable," he said. He also downplayed strained relations with the US following the May 21 US drone strike that killed Mansour and Congress's blocking of financing for Pakistan to buy American F-16 fighter jets. "I don't see the relations are tense at the moment," Aziz said. "They are moving in the right direction and there are of course differences, but I don't think there is any major crisis in the relationship." (Reuters)

Pakistan warns of 'blowback' from moving too fast against militants

Pakistani forces killed three militants at the start of a crackdown on sectarian militant group in the southwestern province of Balochistan, officials said on Thursday, following a spate of attacks targeting security forces.

The extremist Sunni Muslim group Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ), whose roots are in Punjab province, claimed responsibility for gunning down four policemen on Tuesday and four soldiers of the paramilitary Frontier Corps in the city of Quetta on Wednesday.

A spokesman for the paramilitary Frontier Corps said the government had decided to launch an armed operation against LeJ at a late night meeting on Wednesday.

&quot;Three terrorists belonging to LeJ have been killed in an armed clash with Frontier Corps and intelligence personnel,&quot; said Khan Wasey, the spokesman for the paramilitary force.

He said the killings took place during a search operation today.

Last year, police killed the leader of the LeJ, Malik Ishaq, signalling a shift in the&nbsp;Pakistani government&#39;s strategy for dealing with the group.

Balochistan chief minister Sananullah Zehri condemned the killing of the policemen and soldiers and said &quot;strict actions would be launched against terrorists and their supporters&quot;.

Balochistan is&nbsp;Pakistan&#39;s poorest and least developed province and has suffered a long-running separatist violence.

Ethnic Baloch activists and human rights groups accuse the military of carrying out a campaign of kidnapping, torture and extrajudicial killing against suspected separatists.&nbsp;

(Reuters)

The militants belonged to the Sunni Muslim group Lashkar-e-Jhangvi that had carried out attacks on security forces on Tuesday and Wednesday

Pakistani forces killed three militants at the start of a crackdown on sectarian militant group in the southwestern province of Balochistan, officials said on Thursday, following a spate of attacks targeting security forces. The extremist Sunni Muslim group Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ), whose roots are in Punjab province, claimed responsibility for gunning down four policemen on Tuesday and four soldiers of the paramilitary Frontier Corps in the city of Quetta on Wednesday. A spokesman for the paramilitary Frontier Corps said the government had decided to launch an armed operation against LeJ at a late night meeting on Wednesday. "Three terrorists belonging to LeJ have been killed in an armed clash with Frontier Corps and intelligence personnel," said Khan Wasey, the spokesman for the paramilitary force. He said the killings took place during a search operation today. Last year, police killed the leader of the LeJ, Malik Ishaq, signalling a shift in the Pakistani government's strategy for dealing with the group. Balochistan chief minister Sananullah Zehri condemned the killing of the policemen and soldiers and said "strict actions would be launched against terrorists and their supporters". Balochistan is Pakistan's poorest and least developed province and has suffered a long-running separatist violence. Ethnic Baloch activists and human rights groups accuse the military of carrying out a campaign of kidnapping, torture and extrajudicial killing against suspected separatists. (Reuters)

Pakistan launches crackdown against sectarian militants in Balochistan, 3 dead