New Delhi has slammed Pakistan for mainstreaming extremists in local politics after reports emerged that the son of UN-designated terrorist Hafiz Saeed, the mastermind behind the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, had entered the political fray ahead of general elections next year.

As per media reports, Talha Saeed, the son of UN-proscribed terrorist Hafiz Saeed, is looking to contest elections slated to be held in February 2024.

India has condemned this development, warning it could have severe ramifications for regional security.

“The mainstreaming of radical terrorist outfits in Pakistan is nothing new and has been a part of the state policy for a long time. Such developments have serious implications for the security of our region. We will of course continue to monitor all developments that have implications on our national security,’’ Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement.

<h2>India seeking Hafiz Saeed’s extradition</h2>

This development comes at a time when India is seeking Hafiz Saeed’s extradition from India, who is believed to be one of the main masterminds behind the 2008 Mumbai attacks.

On Hafiz Saeed, the MEA said, “We have conveyed a request, along with relevant supporting documents, to the government of Pakistan to extradite him to India to face trial in a particular case.’’

<h2>Pakistan&nbsp;denies requests, says no extradition treaty&nbsp;</h2>

As expected, Islamabad denied India’s request, citing the lack of any bilateral treaty governing such extraditions.

Pakistan’s foreign ministry spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said, “Pakistan has received a request from the Indian authorities, seeking extradition of Hafiz Saeed in a so-called money laundering case.”

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pakistan-caretaker-pm-kakar-announces-ban-on-new-year-celebrations-heres-why-674761">Also read:&nbsp;Pakistan caretaker PM Kakar announces ban on New Year celebrations, here`s why</a>

The spokesperson added, “It’s pertinent to note that no bilateral extradition treaty exists between Pakistan and India.”

<h2>About Talha Saeed</h2>

Talha Saeed is also designated as a terrorist by India since last year.&nbsp;

He is a senior leader of leader of terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and head of its cleric wing.

Watch: Gravitas | 26/11 accused's son to run for office in Pakistan

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Talha has been actively involved in the recruitment, fund collection, planning and execution of attacks by LeT in India and on Indian interests in Afghanistan.

(With inputs from agencies)

New Delhi has slammed Pakistan for mainstreaming extremists in local politics after reports emerged that the son of UN-designated terrorist Hafiz Saeed, the mastermind behind the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, had entered the political fray ahead of general elections next year.

New Delhi has slammed Pakistan for mainstreaming extremists in local politics after reports emerged that the son of UN-designated terrorist Hafiz Saeed, the mastermind behind the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, had entered the political fray ahead of general elections next year. As per media reports, Talha Saeed, the son of UN-proscribed terrorist Hafiz Saeed, is looking to contest elections slated to be held in February 2024. India has condemned this development, warning it could have severe ramifications for regional security. “The mainstreaming of radical terrorist outfits in Pakistan is nothing new and has been a part of the state policy for a long time. Such developments have serious implications for the security of our region. We will of course continue to monitor all developments that have implications on our national security,’’ Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement. India seeking Hafiz Saeed’s extradition This development comes at a time when India is seeking Hafiz Saeed’s extradition from India, who is believed to be one of the main masterminds behind the 2008 Mumbai attacks. On Hafiz Saeed, the MEA said, “We have conveyed a request, along with relevant supporting documents, to the government of Pakistan to extradite him to India to face trial in a particular case.’’ Pakistan denies requests, says no extradition treaty As expected, Islamabad denied India’s request, citing the lack of any bilateral treaty governing such extraditions. Pakistan’s foreign ministry spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said, “Pakistan has received a request from the Indian authorities, seeking extradition of Hafiz Saeed in a so-called money laundering case.” Also read: Pakistan caretaker PM Kakar announces ban on New Year celebrations, here`s why The spokesperson added, “It’s pertinent to note that no bilateral extradition treaty exists between Pakistan and India.” About Talha Saeed Talha Saeed is also designated as a terrorist by India since last year. He is a senior leader of leader of terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and head of its cleric wing. Watch: Gravitas | 26/11 accused's son to run for office in Pakistan × Talha has been actively involved in the recruitment, fund collection, planning and execution of attacks by LeT in India and on Indian interests in Afghanistan. (With inputs from agencies)

Pakistan: Son of UN-designated terrorist Hafiz Saeed to contest polls, India slams development

Pakistan's Anti-Terrorism Court on Wednesday convicted UN-designated terrorist Hafiz Saeed in the terror-financing case. The court sentenced Saeed for five-years and three-months in two terror financing cases. Fine of 150,000 was also imposed on Jamaat-ud-Dawa chief. Saeed is the mastermind of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks and was arrested 16 times in the past and released every time.

Pak court convicts 26/11 mastermind Hafiz Saeed in terror financing case

The "breakthrough" in designating <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/masood-azhar-named-global-terrorist-how-it-will-affect-the-jem-chief-215077">Masood Azhar as a global terrorist </a>came during Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's recent visit to China where the two sides agreed to withdraw their opposition to the latest move to blacklist the JeM chief, a media report said in Pakistan&nbsp;Thursday.

The UN's sanctions committee announced Wednesday the designation of Pakistan-based Azhar, leader of the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), over its ties to Al-Qaeda.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/masood-azhar-named-global-terrorist-how-it-will-affect-the-jem-chief-215077">Masood Azhar named global terrorist: How it will affect the JeM chief?</a>

The US, France along with the UK had moved the proposal to designate Azhar as a "global terrorist" in the UN Security Council's 1267 Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee in February, just days after the deadly Pulwama terror attack that killed 40 CRPF soldiers.&nbsp;

A veto-wielding permanent member of the UNSC, China was the sole hold-out in the 15-nation world body on the bid to blacklist Azhar, blocking four attempts since 2009 by placing a "technical hold" and asking for "more time to examine" the proposal.&nbsp;

Hours after sanctions were imposed on Azhar, the Express Tribune newspaper, quoting diplomatic sources, reported that Pakistan and China held extensive discussions before making a decision on the Azhar issue.&nbsp;

"It is believed that the breakthrough came during the recent visit of Prime Minister Imran Khan to China where both sides agreed to withdraw opposition to the latest move after realising that Islamabad's concerns were addressed," the report said.

Khan was in Beijing to attend the 2nd Belt and Road Forum hosted by Chinese President Xi Jinping from April 25 to 27. Apart from President Xi, the Pakistan prime minister met his Chinese counterpart Li Keqiang as well as Vice President Wang Qishan.

In Beijing, Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said on Wednesday that China lifted its hold on the US, the UK and French proposal after a "careful study of the revised materials" it had to designate Azhar as a global terrorist.

The listing of Azhar means that he will now be facing a travel ban, assets freeze and arms embargo.&nbsp;

But the source told the paper that the listing does not mean the person should be detained. Another official claimed that authorities were "unaware" of Azhar's whereabouts.

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, during the peak of India-Pakistan tensions following the Pulwama terror attack had admitted that Azhar was in Pakistan. He also mentioned that the JeM chief was "very unwell" to the extent that he cannot leave his house.

The report also claimed that Islamabad agreeing to the designation of Azhar as a global terrorist was a "paradigm shift" in the country's approach.&nbsp;

An official said prime minister Khan had made a public commitment that Pakistan's soil would not be used against any country.

However, he made it clear that Pakistan would go after these groups in a manner that the peace and security of the country was not affected.

The Washington Post reported that Azhar's sanctioning comes weeks after Washington said it was seeking to have him put on the UN blacklist.

In Washington, a senior US administration official told reporters that "after 10 years China has done the right thing by lifting its hold on this designation."

The official, who insisted on speaking anonymously, said Britain and France joined the US in putting pressure on China after the February 14 attack, and Beijing seems to have understood "that it is increasingly important that its actions on the international stage on terrorism matched its rhetoric."

The official said the Trump administration is watching to see if Pakistan Prime Minister Khan's commitment to crack down on militants in the country "will translate into irreversible steps to end terrorist and militant safe havens inside Pakistan."

Khan's government has ordered the takeover of assets and property of JeM and dozens of banned militant organisations that operate in Pakistan after the Pulwama terror attack by a JeM suicide bomber.

The "breakthrough" in designating Masood Azhar as a global terrorist came during Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's recent visit to China where the two sides agreed to withdraw their opposition to the latest move to blacklist the JeM chief, a media report said in Pakistan Thursday.

The "breakthrough" in designating Masood Azhar as a global terrorist came during Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's recent visit to China where the two sides agreed to withdraw their opposition to the latest move to blacklist the JeM chief, a media report said in Pakistan Thursday. The UN's sanctions committee announced Wednesday the designation of Pakistan-based Azhar, leader of the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), over its ties to Al-Qaeda. Also read: Masood Azhar named global terrorist: How it will affect the JeM chief? The US, France along with the UK had moved the proposal to designate Azhar as a "global terrorist" in the UN Security Council's 1267 Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee in February, just days after the deadly Pulwama terror attack that killed 40 CRPF soldiers. A veto-wielding permanent member of the UNSC, China was the sole hold-out in the 15-nation world body on the bid to blacklist Azhar, blocking four attempts since 2009 by placing a "technical hold" and asking for "more time to examine" the proposal. Hours after sanctions were imposed on Azhar, the Express Tribune newspaper, quoting diplomatic sources, reported that Pakistan and China held extensive discussions before making a decision on the Azhar issue. "It is believed that the breakthrough came during the recent visit of Prime Minister Imran Khan to China where both sides agreed to withdraw opposition to the latest move after realising that Islamabad's concerns were addressed," the report said. Khan was in Beijing to attend the 2nd Belt and Road Forum hosted by Chinese President Xi Jinping from April 25 to 27. Apart from President Xi, the Pakistan prime minister met his Chinese counterpart Li Keqiang as well as Vice President Wang Qishan. In Beijing, Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said on Wednesday that China lifted its hold on the US, the UK and French proposal after a "careful study of the revised materials" it had to designate Azhar as a global terrorist. The listing of Azhar means that he will now be facing a travel ban, assets freeze and arms embargo. But the source told the paper that the listing does not mean the person should be detained. Another official claimed that authorities were "unaware" of Azhar's whereabouts. Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, during the peak of India-Pakistan tensions following the Pulwama terror attack had admitted that Azhar was in Pakistan. He also mentioned that the JeM chief was "very unwell" to the extent that he cannot leave his house. The report also claimed that Islamabad agreeing to the designation of Azhar as a global terrorist was a "paradigm shift" in the country's approach. An official said prime minister Khan had made a public commitment that Pakistan's soil would not be used against any country. However, he made it clear that Pakistan would go after these groups in a manner that the peace and security of the country was not affected. The Washington Post reported that Azhar's sanctioning comes weeks after Washington said it was seeking to have him put on the UN blacklist. In Washington, a senior US administration official told reporters that "after 10 years China has done the right thing by lifting its hold on this designation." The official, who insisted on speaking anonymously, said Britain and France joined the US in putting pressure on China after the February 14 attack, and Beijing seems to have understood "that it is increasingly important that its actions on the international stage on terrorism matched its rhetoric." The official said the Trump administration is watching to see if Pakistan Prime Minister Khan's commitment to crack down on militants in the country "will translate into irreversible steps to end terrorist and militant safe havens inside Pakistan." Khan's government has ordered the takeover of assets and property of JeM and dozens of banned militant organisations that operate in Pakistan after the Pulwama terror attack by a JeM suicide bomber.

Breakthrough in Azhar case struck during Imran Khan's China trip: Report

Big diplomatic win for India as sources say that China has agreed to list JeM chief Masood Azhar as a UN designated terrorist.

Finally China supports the listing of Masood Azhar as Un designated terrorist: Sources

Pakistan has banned two charities linked to Islamist leader Hafiz Saeed, an official said on Wednesday, in a move against the U.N.-designated &quot;terrorist&quot; who the United States says was behind an attack on Mumbai in 2008 that killed 166 people.

Authorities had begun seizing control of offices and financial assets of the charities, another official said.

The action comes days before a meeting by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), a global money laundering watchdog, which will consider a U.S.-sponsored motion to place Pakistan on a list of countries failing to prevent terrorism financing.

The operations in Pakistan of Saeed&#39;s extensive network - which includes 300 seminaries and schools, hospitals, a publishing house and ambulance services - has been a particular concern of the United States.

Punjab province&#39;s law minister, Rana Sanaullah, said the central Ministry of Interior had issued a notification against the two charities, the Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) and Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation (FIF), this week.

&quot;We have received the interior ministry directions, and according to that, Hafiz Saeed and his charities, like JuD and FIF, have been banned to operate in Pakistan,&quot; Sanaullah told Reuters.

The United States has labelled JuD and FIF &quot;terrorist fronts&quot; for Lashkar-e-Taiba (&quot;Army of the Pure&quot; or LeT), a group Saeed founded in 1987 that the United States and India blame for the bloody attacks on the Indian city of Mumbai.

Saeed has repeatedly denied involvement in the attacks. A Pakistani court freed him from house arrest last year after ruling there was insufficient evidence to convict him.

Pakistan drew up plans late last year to take over Saeed&#39;s charities in a secret order first reported by Reuters.

In the city of Rawalpindi, in Punjab province, district officers had begun taking over the charities&#39; offices, a city official said.

&quot;We&#39;ve taken over all the JuD and FIF assets. We&#39;ve completed the takeover,&quot; Rawalpindi commissioner Nadeem Aslam told Reuters.

List

Aslam said he did not have an exact number of offices and seminaries involved in the asset seizure but data was being compiled in all four districts of Rawalpindi division and he expected full details of the assets.

A spokesmen for JuD declined to make an immediate comment but said a statement would be issued. Officials at FIF could not be reached for comment, nor could Hafiz Saeed himself, who rarely speaks to the media.

Pakistan has banned the LeT but its charity wings, the JUD and FIF have been operating.

The United States has offered $10 million for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Saeed, who heads JuD, which Washington says is a front for the LeT.

Pakistani officials involved in the seizures of assets said failure to act against the charities could lead to Pakistan&#39;s inclusion on the FATF watchlist.

That would make it harder for foreigners to do business in the nuclear-armed South Asian nation.

Pakistan&#39;s de facto finance minister, Miftah Ismail, told Reuters the FATF would consider a motion to place Pakistan on the list but the government was &quot;hopeful&quot; it could make its case to avoid it.

Pakistan was on the FATF watchlist from 2012 to 2015.

The United States has labelled the JuD and FIF 'terrorist fronts' for the Lashkar-e-Taiba

Pakistan has banned two charities linked to Islamist leader Hafiz Saeed, an official said on Wednesday, in a move against the U.N.-designated "terrorist" who the United States says was behind an attack on Mumbai in 2008 that killed 166 people. Authorities had begun seizing control of offices and financial assets of the charities, another official said. The action comes days before a meeting by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), a global money laundering watchdog, which will consider a U.S.-sponsored motion to place Pakistan on a list of countries failing to prevent terrorism financing. The operations in Pakistan of Saeed's extensive network - which includes 300 seminaries and schools, hospitals, a publishing house and ambulance services - has been a particular concern of the United States. Punjab province's law minister, Rana Sanaullah, said the central Ministry of Interior had issued a notification against the two charities, the Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) and Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation (FIF), this week. "We have received the interior ministry directions, and according to that, Hafiz Saeed and his charities, like JuD and FIF, have been banned to operate in Pakistan," Sanaullah told Reuters. The United States has labelled JuD and FIF "terrorist fronts" for Lashkar-e-Taiba ("Army of the Pure" or LeT), a group Saeed founded in 1987 that the United States and India blame for the bloody attacks on the Indian city of Mumbai. Saeed has repeatedly denied involvement in the attacks. A Pakistani court freed him from house arrest last year after ruling there was insufficient evidence to convict him. Pakistan drew up plans late last year to take over Saeed's charities in a secret order first reported by Reuters. In the city of Rawalpindi, in Punjab province, district officers had begun taking over the charities' offices, a city official said. "We've taken over all the JuD and FIF assets. We've completed the takeover," Rawalpindi commissioner Nadeem Aslam told Reuters. List Aslam said he did not have an exact number of offices and seminaries involved in the asset seizure but data was being compiled in all four districts of Rawalpindi division and he expected full details of the assets. A spokesmen for JuD declined to make an immediate comment but said a statement would be issued. Officials at FIF could not be reached for comment, nor could Hafiz Saeed himself, who rarely speaks to the media. Pakistan has banned the LeT but its charity wings, the JUD and FIF have been operating. The United States has offered $10 million for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Saeed, who heads JuD, which Washington says is a front for the LeT. Pakistani officials involved in the seizures of assets said failure to act against the charities could lead to Pakistan's inclusion on the FATF watchlist. That would make it harder for foreigners to do business in the nuclear-armed South Asian nation. Pakistan's de facto finance minister, Miftah Ismail, told Reuters the FATF would consider a motion to place Pakistan on the list but the government was "hopeful" it could make its case to avoid it. Pakistan was on the FATF watchlist from 2012 to 2015.

Pakistan bans Hafiz Saeed's JuD, FIF