AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, speaking as part of the Modi government’s anti-terror all-party delegation abroad, delivered a sharp condemnation of Pakistan’s ongoing sponsorship of terrorism, particularly in the aftermath of the April 22 Pahalgam massacre, in which 26 Indian civilians — mostly Hindu tourists — were killed by Pakistan-backed terrorists.
While addressing the Indian diaspora in Algeria, Owaisi cited the case of Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, the mastermind of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, to expose how Pakistan coddles terrorists. He pointed out that Lakhvi, despite being incarcerated, fathered a child while in jail, suggesting special privileges were extended to him. "No country in the world would allow a terrorist to enjoy such freedom," he said, adding that the pace of Lakhvi’s trial only picked up once Pakistan was grey-listed by the FATF (Financial Action Task Force), indicating external pressure is key to any accountability.
Owaisi strongly urged the global anti-terror financing body to re-list Pakistan on the FATF Grey List, arguing that it is necessary to clip Pakistan’s wings and curtail its terror infrastructure.
He didn’t stop at political criticism; Owaisi took on the religious dimension of Pakistan’s terror ideology. He denounced Takfirism — a doctrine used by extremist groups like LeT, Al-Qaeda, and ISIS to declare fellow Muslims as non-believers (kafirs) and justify killing them. “There is no place for Takfirism in Islam. Islam prohibits the killing of innocents,” he said, calling out Pakistan as the "epicentre of Takfirism."
Owaisi connected these ideologies to the Pahalgam killings, saying the targeting of Hindus shows how radical extremism exported by Pakistan violates both religious and human norms. He emphasized that Pakistan-trained terrorists have created mayhem not only in Kashmir but also in Punjab and beyond, naming terror groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM).
He also warned about LeT’s ties with Al-Qaeda, claiming LeT provided logistical and ideological support to the group responsible for 9/11, underlining Pakistan’s global terror reach.
Referring to Operation Sindoor conducted by Indian forces on May 7, in which terror launchpads of LeT and JeM were destroyed in a precision overnight operation, Owaisi reaffirmed India’s zero-tolerance policy toward terrorism. “Anyone who picks up arms is a terrorist. No space should be given to such elements,” he stated.
In a broader warning, he said, "Pakistan is not just a threat to India, but to the entire South Asian region and world peace.” With India now being the fourth-largest global economy, Owaisi appealed to world leaders to act decisively, lest the carnage spill beyond borders.
His remarks mark a rare moment of political unity across party lines in India’s counter-terror stance and come at a time when international scrutiny of Pakistan’s role in harboring extremists is increasing again.
