Latest news with #HafizAbdulRauf
Hindustan Times
23-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
India to push FATF to put Pak on its grey list again
India will push for placing Pakistan in the grey list again at the Financial Action Task Force's (FATF) plenary meeting in June , making available evidence that Islamabad failed to enforce anti-money laundering and counter-terror reforms and made no headway in prosecuting UN-designated terrorists, a senior official said. There is a strong case to put Pakistan back in the grey list, this person added on condition of anonymity. The global money laundering and terrorism financing watchdog holds three plenary meetings that usually take place in June, October and February of each year. Pakistan is due for an evaluation in 2026 and non-compliance or slippage could result in a grey listing. Countries in the grey list are given an action plan, and their implementation of this is monitored every four months. If countries in the grey list fail to show any progress, then they are pushed to the 'black list' and subjected to countermeasures. Countries which do not participate in FATF's mutual evaluation process – Iran and North Korea, for instance -- are also blacklisted. Pakistan's inclusion in the grey list would hurt its credit worthiness and the cash-strapped country will face severe difficulties in getting financial institutions such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to support it. In October 2022, FATF took Pakistan off its grey list after the country ostensibly strengthened the effectiveness of its anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorism financing (CFT) regime. India hopes to make a case by highlighting Pakistan's support for proscribed terrorists such as Hafiz Abdul Rauf, a US-designated terrorist and senior Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operative, who was seen in images of a funeral attended by Pakistani army personnel after India's strikes at terror hubs in Pakistan and Pakistan occupied Kashmir as part of Operation Sindoor, a response to the targetted killing of 26 people, 24 of them Hindu, in a terror strike at Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir. Pakistan tried to pass off the terrorist as an 'ordinary family man'. India will also oppose any funding for Pakistan at the World Bank's upcoming meetings, the official said. The World Bank holds two key meetings in a year – Spring meetings in April and Annual meetings in October. India is making all efforts to expose Pakistan's clandestine support to terrorists. According to a second official, who too asked not to be named, India's strong protest at the IMF against extending development loans forced the multilateral agency to impose about a dozen stringent conditions on the country. 'Pakistan is unlikely to meet those conditions and thus it would not be able to avail the IMF funding,' he claimed. He added that while IMF cannot stop project-specific funding when all required criteria are fully met, India's effort to highlight Pakistan's terror links and flag possible diversion of funds led to the multilateral institution imposing 11 conditions. 'India is not against multilateral agencies such as IMF and World Bank extending financial support for the development of people of Pakistan. But, there is ample evidence that these development funds are diverted by Islamabad from development projects to arms purchases and terror funding,' he said. Citing data available with multilateral agencies, the second person added: 'Pakistan spends on average around 18% of its general budget on 'defence affairs and services', while even the conflict-affected countries spend far less on average (10-14% of their general budget expenditure). Further, Pakistan's arms imports increased dramatically from 1980 to 2023 by over 20% on average in the years when it received IMF disbursements in comparison to years when it did not receive the same.'
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First Post
20-05-2025
- Business
- First Post
Operation Sindoor: Winning the perception war globally
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri displaying a picture of terrorist Hafiz Abdul Rauf and members of the Pakistani military at the funeral of terrorists killed during the Operation Sindoor strikes. ANI India decisively won the four-day conflict against Pakistan. But in the international media and within sections of the global intelligence community, Operation Sindoor is regarded as only a qualified success. From May 7-10, India degraded Pakistan's terror infrastructure and severely damaged its military bases. After a week of denials, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif finally admitted during a public address that India had successfully hit several Pakistani military airbases, including Nur Khan, with ballistic missiles. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Most neutral experts have called Operation Sindoor a notable success in the fight against global terror. As David Vance, a British commentator pointed out, India is helping the West fight the global war on terrorism whose hub lies in Pakistan. So why is the West discomfited by India's unprecedented attack, with precision-guided munitions, on a nuclear-armed country? Why has US President Donald Trump tried to downplay India's successful military response to the brutal attack on 26 tourists in Kashmir by Pakistani terrorists? There are two key reasons. First, the Western establishment sees India, now the world's fourth largest economy, in the same light it perceived China 15 years ago: a rising power that could pose a future threat to 300 years of Western global hegemony. Any event that moderates India's rise is in the West's interest. This, however, presents the West with a conundrum. It regards China as a far bigger geopolitical problem than a rising India. China has already risen. Its economy, at nearly $20 trillion, is two-thirds America's $30 trillion economy. India's GDP at $4.19 trillion is still small but its annual growth rate is treble America's and double China's. The gap between the three will close sooner rather than later. The second reason for the global reaction is commercial. The US sells a significant amount of military hardware to Pakistan, including F-16 fighter jets. These performed poorly against India's new 4.5 generation stealth Rafale fighters whose lethal Scalp missiles have a 400-km standoff range. The outcome was not a good advertisement globally for US defence companies like Lockheed Martin, General Dynamics and Raytheon which supply military hardware around the world. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD US media immediately took the cue and downplayed India's military success in Operation Sindoor. Several US media organisations have Pakistan-origin editors. They gave the conflict a spin that called it a draw when facts pointed to a clear Pakistan defeat. China stays out To Pakistan's disappointment, China did not make an attempt to open up a second front on the LAC. The poor performance of Chinese military equipment and fighter jets in the conflict was blamed by Chinese military strategists on the relative incompetence of Pakistani Air Force (PAF) fighter pilots, not the quality of Chinese hardware. India's Operation Sindoor has crossed a Lakshman Rekha in two ways. One, it has demonstrated to Pakistan that nuclear blackmail is no longer a restraining impediment. Prime Minister Narendra Modi made it ominously clear when he said: 'A future terror attack will be regarded as an act of war.' This closes the option Pakistan has exercised for decades: launching terror attacks behind a nuclear shield. That shield has been breached. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Two, the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) serves as a new deterrent. India has swifty begun to use water it was always entitled to legally under the IWT which came into force in 1960. Out of a misplaced sense of goodwill, India had not used its full legal quota of water for over six decades. Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said candidly last week: 'As far as J&K is concerned, we have never supported the Indus Waters Treaty. We have always believed that it is the most unjust document for the people of Jammu & Kashmir. Opposing a blatantly unfair treaty (IWT) is in no way, shape, size or form warmongering. It's about correcting a historic injustice that denied the people of J&K the right to use our water for ourselves.' Abdullah said that with the IWT suspended, hydro-electric power plants could transform the Union territory's economy. For example, he pointed out, 'The Wular lake is in North Kashmir. Civil works on the Tulbul Navigation Barrage were started in the early 1980s but had to be abandoned under pressure from Pakistan citing the Indus Waters Treaty. Now that the IWT has been suspended, we may be able to resume the project.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Multi-party global outreach What India must now do falls into three buckets. First, ensure that the decision to send multi-party teams to various countries later this week does not appear as a defensive tactic. India does not owe anybody an explanation for Operation Sindoor. The various teams must focus on demonstrating with evidence the scourge of Pakistan's decades-long use of terrorism against India. Second, the teams must present graphic proof of the success of Operation Sindoor and why it has only been paused, not completed. Third, they must expose, with published examples, the deliberate bias in Western media coverage of the conflict and how the bias diminishes their editorial credibility. Pakistan has spent millions of dollars in the US on lobbying firms. These firms have strong ties with Congressional leaders in both the Senate and the House of Representatives as well as with legacy media organisations. These relationships are used to airbrush evidence of Islamabad's links with UN-designated terror groups. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD India has the ability – and the goodwill – to hire the best US lobbying firms to state its case with evidence and seize control of the narrative. Above all, the key task for the multi-party teams preparing to set off to different geographies this week is to de-hyphenate India from Pakistan. Pakistan's GDP at $360 billion is smaller than the GDP of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). Just as US wars in Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan did not hyphenate the US with those countries, the multi-party teams must make it clear that India is dealing with what Defence Minister Rajnath Singh last week called a rogue nation. The writer is an editor, author and publisher. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost's views.
IOL News
19-05-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Indian officials discover 'visual evidence' of a terrorist network in Pakistan
India is reportedly preparing to submit new evidence to the United Nations Security Council and the Financial Action Task Force, showing terrorist activities Pakistan in terror attacks. A recent Indian military operation in Pakistan has uncovered what Indian officials call undeniable evidence of a terrorist network operating openly in the town of Muridke, Punjab province. The strike, which targeted suspected Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) facilities, is now making global headlines after new footage and eyewitness reports surfaced, revealing the extent of Pakistan's alleged ties to terror groups. The Indian government says its operation was a preemptive counter-terror strike, aimed at neutralising an LeT hub. This contradicts Pakistan's official claim that the site was a civilian area. One of the most telling moments came shortly after the strikes, when video footage from a funeral for a slain LeT operative showed Hafiz Abdul Rauf, a senior LeT figure and brother-in-law of the internationally sanctioned Hafiz Saeed, attending the event. In the video, Rauf stands beside the operative's grieving father, who gave an impassioned speech, followed by chants of 'Al Jihad, Al Jihad' from the crowd. The footage, now widely shared among intelligence circles, has become a major source of embarrassment for Pakistan. Just days earlier, its military spokesperson dismissed Rauf as nothing more than a 'local cleric.'Indian officials say this proves beyond doubt that the compound hit by their forces was not civilian but rather a key operational base for LeT, an organisation banned by the United Nations and linked to numerous terrorist attacks, including the 2008 Mumbai attacks. Muridke has long been flagged by global intelligence agencies as a hotspot for jihadist activity. While Pakistan has consistently denied any links to such groups, claiming they have been shut down, the recent events suggest otherwise. 'This is not just speculation,' said an Indian defence official. 'We have real-time, visual evidence of known terrorists operating with impunity. This shows Pakistan is not just ignoring terrorism — it's enabling it.' Several security analysts agree, saying that the footage from Muridke shows just how embedded terror networks remain in Pakistan. 'The funeral looked more like a public rally celebrating a martyr than mourning a civilian death,' noted one analyst. Following these revelations, India is reportedly preparing to submit new evidence to the United Nations Security Council and the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). Both organisations have previously warned Pakistan about its failure to take meaningful action against terror groups within its borders. While India's foreign ministry has not yet made a formal announcement, insiders say a detailed briefing for strategic allies is in the works. Meanwhile, security along India's borders has been ramped up amid concerns of retaliation by Pakistan-based groups. This news comes at a difficult time for Pakistan, which is already under pressure from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to implement financial reforms. The country is also dealing with internal unrest and has recently faced criticism over its handling of drone attacks and domestic security lapses. If international scrutiny intensifies, Islamabad could face renewed diplomatic isolation and economic consequences, especially if it's found to be in violation of anti-terrorism commitments made to global institutions. As of 19 May 2025, tensions in the region remain high. Indian officials say they have 'concrete proof' that LeT continues to operate from Pakistani soil with the support of local leadership — claims that, if verified globally, could have major consequences.
Time of India
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Pak's ‘Terror Plot' Busted With Hard Proof! Hafiz Abdul Rauf Exposes Sharif's Lies
A new video has gone viral on social media showing Hafiz Abdul Rauf, a U.S.-designated terrorist and senior Lashkar-e-Taiba figure, attending a memorial event for slain terrorists in Muridke, Pakistan. The footage confirms what India has long claimed — that it has been striking only terror infrastructure, not civilian sites, during precision operations like Operation Sindoor.#lashkaretaiba #hafizabdulrauf #india #pakistan #muridke
News18
13-05-2025
- Politics
- News18
Muridke's Funeral Lays Bare Pakistan's State-Terror Nexus
Last Updated: The presence of army personnel and police alongside LeT's Hafiz Abdul Rauf confirms what India has alleged for decades—Pakistan is intertwined with terrorist outfits like LeT & JeM The funeral of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists in Muridke, Pakistan, in May 2025, following India's Operation Sindoor, has ripped apart the veneer of Pakistan's denials about its ties to terrorism. Visuals of coffins draped in the national flag, senior military officers in attendance, and a US-designated terrorist leading prayers have exposed a chilling reality: the Pakistani state's complicity in nurturing terror. This was no ordinary burial; it was a state-sanctioned spectacle glorifying jihadists killed in precise Indian strikes targeting terror infrastructure. The presence of army personnel, police, and civil bureaucrats alongside LeT's Hafiz Abdul Rauf, a figure long linked to anti-India operations, confirms what India and the global community have alleged for decades—Pakistan's government, military, and Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) are deeply intertwined with terrorist outfits like LeT and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). Operation Sindoor, launched in response to the April 2025 Pahalgam attack that killed 26 civilians, struck nine terror camps, including LeT's Muridke headquarters, a hub for training operatives like Ajmal Kasab of the 2008 Mumbai attacks. Pakistan's claim that the strikes killed civilians crumbled as evidence of military involvement in the funerals surfaced. The brazen display of state support for terrorists raises questions about Pakistan's commitment to counter-terrorism and its role as a supposed ally in global security. This op-ed argues that the Muridke funeral is a defining moment, exposing Pakistan's institutional backing of terrorism through four key revelations: the military's open endorsement, the ISI's logistical support, the government's duplicity on the global stage, and the societal normalisation of jihadist ideology. These elements demand a re-evaluation of international policies toward Pakistan, a state that continues to destabilise the region while evading accountability. The presence of uniformed Pakistan Army personnel at the Muridke funeral, carrying coffins and saluting fallen LeT operatives, is a stark admission of the military's alignment with terrorist groups. Reports indicate senior officers, including those from Punjab's police, attended the funeral of terrorists like Qari Abdul Malik and Abu Jundal, killed in India's strikes. This was not a covert gesture but a public spectacle, with coffins wrapped in Pakistan's flag and state honours bestowed. Such actions contradict Pakistan's official stance of cracking down on terror groups under international pressure, like the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) mandates. The military's participation signals institutional approval, emboldening groups like LeT to operate with impunity. Historically, the army has shielded figures like Hafiz Saeed, LeT's founder, who, despite a nominal imprisonment, continues to influence jihadist networks. The Muridke funeral underscores that the army views these terrorists not as threats but as strategic assets against India, particularly in Kashmir. ISI's Logistical And Operational Support The ISI's role in sustaining terror groups is well-documented, but the Muridke funeral provides fresh evidence of its logistical backbone. Sources reveal the ISI facilitated training at camps like Muridke's Markaz Taiba, where operatives for attacks like Mumbai 2008 and Pahalgam 2025 were groomed. The funeral's high security, attended by ISI-linked officials, suggests the agency's direct oversight of LeT's activities. The ISI's involvement goes beyond passive support; it includes funding, arming, and directing operations, as seen in the Pahalgam attack's planning. The agency's presence at the funeral, alongside LeT commanders, indicates a seamless collaboration, with the ISI acting as the glue between the military and terror outfits. This nexus allows Pakistan to maintain plausible deniability while orchestrating cross-border terrorism, a strategy exposed by the brazen Muridke ceremony. Government's Duplicity on the Global Stage Pakistan's government has long projected itself as a victim of terrorism, seeking international aid and sympathy while covertly supporting jihadist groups. The Muridke funeral demolishes this facade. While Islamabad denied involvement in the Pahalgam attack and claimed civilian casualties in India's strikes, the state honours accorded to terrorists reveal a different truth. The government's failure to condemn the funeral or arrest Hafiz Abdul Rauf, a globally sanctioned terrorist, exposes its complicity. Past leaders, from Nawaz Sharif to Imran Khan, have admitted to the presence of terror groups on Pakistani soil, yet no meaningful action follows. The funeral, attended by civil bureaucrats, shows the state's tacit approval of LeT's ideology. This duplicity undermines Pakistan's credibility in forums like the UN, where it has resisted designations like that of The Resistance Front (TRF), an LeT front. The international community must recognise this double game and impose stricter sanctions. Societal Normalisation of Jihadist Ideology The Muridke funeral, with its hate-filled slogans like 'India's destruction is near," reflects a deeper societal issue: the normalisation of jihadist ideology in parts of Pakistan. LeT's Muridke complex, disguised as a charitable organisation under Jamaat-ud-Dawa, runs schools, clinics, and seminaries that indoctrinate youth with anti-India propaganda. The funeral's public nature, with civilians and officials chanting alongside terrorists, indicates how deeply this ideology has penetrated. The state's failure to curb such displays, coupled with the military's endorsement, fosters an environment where terrorism is glorified. This societal acceptance sustains groups like LeT and JeM, ensuring a steady supply of recruits. The Muridke event is a wake-up call for Pakistan's civil society and the global community to address this ideological rot, which threatens regional stability. The Muridke funeral is a damning indictment of Pakistan's state-sponsored terrorism. It lays bare the military's endorsement, the ISI's operational role, the government's hypocrisy, and the societal embrace of jihadist ideology. These revelations demand a robust international response—tighter sanctions, FATF blacklisting, and diplomatic isolation to pressure Pakistan into dismantling its terror infrastructure. India's Operation Sindoor was a precise strike, but it also exposed the need for a broader strategy to counter Pakistan's proxy war. The global community, particularly the U.S. and UN, must act decisively, recognising Pakistan not as an ally but as a state that glorifies terrorists with state honours. Failure to do so risks further emboldening a nation that thrives on chaos. The Muridke funeral is not just Pakistan's shame; it is a challenge to the world's resolve against terrorism. Accountability must begin now. The author teaches journalism at St Xavier's College (autonomous), Kolkata. His handle on X is @sayantan_gh. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18's views. tags : JeM Let Operation Sindoor pakistan Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: May 13, 2025, 15:48 IST News opinion Opinion | Muridke's Funeral Lays Bare Pakistan's State-Terror Nexus
