New Delhi: Asaduddin Owaisi of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) on Saturday hit out at Pakistan highlighting Islamabad’s dubious track record on combating terrorism and pointing out that its tactics of harbouring terrorists goes a long way in causing instability in South Asia.
Interacting with the Indian diaspora in Algeria as part of an all-party parliamentary delegation, Owaisi cited an example about how Pakistan was aiding terrorism, stating that a terrorist had become a father while officially being in jail in Pakistan.
The AIMIM chief said that Pakistan was giving special treatment to terrorist Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi in prison. “There was a terrorist named Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi — no country in the world would allow someone facing terror charges to (come out of jail). Yet, while in prison, he became father to a child,” Owaisi said, pointing out that the trial only moved forward after Pakistan was placed on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Grey List, underlining how international pressure had briefly compelled Pakistan to act.
#WATCH | Algiers, Algeria | AIMIM chief and MP Asaduddin Owaisi says, “There was this one terrorist called Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi – no country in the world would allow a terrorist who’s facing a terror charge. He became a father to a son while sitting in prison. The trial… pic.twitter.com/Gd5whrzW13
— ANI (@ANI) May 31, 2025
‘Pakistan should be put back on FATF Grey List’
The Hyderabad MP expressed hope that if Pakistan is put back on the FATF Grey List – a global watchdog that monitors countries for terror financing – terror incidents in India would go down.
Owaisi sounded a warning that the issue was no longer limited to region. He said, “It’s not only a question of South Asia. We are the fourth largest economy. What will happen? Do you want all this carnage to spread to different parts of South Asia?.”
“It is in the interest of world peace to check Pakistan, which is the main sponsor of terrorism. It has to be brought back in the FATF Grey List,” Owaisi asserted.
Owaisi drew a link between Pakistan’s ideology and that of global terrorist organisations, saying, “Pakistan is the epicentre of Takfirism, and there is no ideological difference between the terrorist groups operating there and those like Daesh and Al-Qaeda.”
The AIMIM chief pointed out, “They believe that they have a religious sanction, which is completely wrong. Islam does not allow the killing of any person, and unfortunately, that is their ideology.”
India is carrying out diplomatic outreach on Operation Sindoor, while fanning out delegations abroad to put international pressure on Pakistan and explain New Delhi’s stance on terrorism.
