New Delhi: Just before the upcoming October Plenary of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), Pakistan has once again started an effort to throw dust in the eyes of the international community. To avoid financial sanctions and accountability on the global stage, Pakistan has announced a reward of Rs 70 lakh on notorious terrorist organization Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar. Masood Azhar's name has been included in the latest Red Book of 'Most Wanted' terrorists released by Pakistan's Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), which is being considered a mere cosmetic move in diplomatic circles.
Reward amount increased to Rs 70 lakh
Pakistan has claimed action against terrorist Masood Azhar. Earlier in 2021, amidst pressure of FATF gray list, Pakistan had announced a reward of Rs 50 lakh on Masood Azhar.
Now after five years, the reward amount has been increased to Rs 70 lakh. In 2021, Pakistan had claimed that Masood Azhar had crossed its border and gone to Afghanistan.
Islamabad's intentions get exposed
On one hand, Pakistan has been continuously harping on international forums that Masood Azhar is not present on its soil and he is hiding in Afghanistan, while on the other hand, announcing a huge reward on him through its own investigating agency clearly exposes its double standards.
Instead of taking concrete action against this terrorist who is continuously hatching nefarious conspiracies against India, only paper formalities are being completed. Earlier, this structure was shaken by the strict action taken by the Indian Army on the headquarters of Jaish-e-Mohammed in Bahawalpur under 'Operation Sindoor'.
drama to escape international pressure
This step taken just before the FATF meeting to be held in October has raised serious questions on Pakistan's intentions and administrative intentions. Defense experts believe that this is not a real capture plan, but an old and worn-out tactic to reduce diplomatic pressure. Now it remains to be seen whether the global monitoring body FATF accepts this paper show of Pakistan or puts pressure on it to take real and effective action.