(Commonwealth_India) Asaduddin Owaisi, the president of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) and a sitting Member of Parliament, recently voiced serious apprehensions about Pakistan’s continued ties with terrorist networks. Speaking at an event in Riyadh as part of a cross-party Indian delegation led by BJP MP Baijayant Panda, Owaisi delivered a pointed critique, asserting that there is credible and visible proof of Pakistan‘s engagement with terrorism.
He cited a recent development that he believes exemplifies the troubling relationship between elements of the Pakistani state and extremist figures. The incident involved the promotion of Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir to the position of field marshal. Owaisi claimed that during the formal event celebrating this promotion, Mohammad Ehsan—a man designated as a terrorist by the United States—was not only present but seated next to Munir. He emphasized that photos show Ehsan in close contact with the army chief, including moments where the two were seen shaking hands.
Owaisi argued that such overt associations between top-ranking military officials and globally recognized terrorists raise serious questions about Pakistan’s commitment to fighting terrorism. Rather than being isolated or incidental, he suggested this incident reflects a deeper, systemic problem—one where certain institutions within Pakistan not only tolerate but may actively support terror-linked individuals. According to him, these links go beyond negligence and enter the realm of deliberate collaboration.
To counter this, Owaisi urged the international community to take concrete action. He specifically called for Pakistan to be relisted on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list. The FATF, which monitors and enforces global standards against money laundering and terror financing, imposes enhanced oversight on countries that fail to address these issues adequately. Pakistan was previously on this list and faced increased scrutiny, which led to temporary reforms. However, since its removal from the grey list, Owaisi argued that Pakistan has reverted to dangerous associations and leniency toward extremist elements.
“After 26/11, my government, headed by the then Prime Minister, late Dr Manmohan Singh, the Indian investigators went to Pakistan, gave them all the evidence, but you will be surprised to know that nothing moved forward. What made Pakistan move forward in this terrorist trial was when Pakistan was put on the FATF grey list. One meeting was held in Germany, and India wanted one Sajid Mir to be indicted, but Pakistan said he’s dead… Pakistan came up to the Committee of FATF and said Sajid Mir is alive. Can you imagine the country which was saying he’s dead, suddenly, he’s alive? And then the Pakistani government said that our courts have convicted him for some 5 to 10 years, but the main culprits of the 26/11 are still scot-free. They were convicted of money laundering, not for terrorism,” Owaisi explained.
He stressed that financial accountability is one of the most effective tools to weaken terrorist infrastructures. By choking off funding routes and monitoring financial channels more aggressively, international bodies can put pressure on nations that fail to act against groups operating from their soil. Owaisi warned that symbolic gestures and diplomatic statements are no longer enough, particularly when there is visual and verifiable evidence of high-level complicity.
The AIMIM leader’s remarks come at a time when global security agencies are again raising alarms over a resurgence of terrorist activities, particularly in South Asia and the Middle East. His comments resonate with a broader concern in Indian political and security circles, where there is growing frustration over what many see as international leniency toward Pakistan’s duplicity in dealing with terrorism.
Ultimately, Owaisi’s statements underline the importance of consistent global standards and accountability. If countries are seen to be ignoring international norms while escaping consequences, he warned, it endangers regional peace and weakens the entire international framework established to fight extremism. His call for Pakistan’s return to the FATF grey list is a demand for the world to take these threats seriously and act with resolve, rather than relying on diplomatic caution or half-measures.
