Pakistan is epicentre of Takfirism, should be put back on FATF grey list: Asaduddin Owaisi in Algeria

Asaduddin Owaisi

AIMIM chief and MP Asaduddin Owaisi said that global terrorism could decline if Pakistan is once again placed on the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) grey list. He also emphasised that terrorism relies on ideology and funding, both of which, are supported by Pakistan.

Owaisi also linked Pakistan’s ideology to that of international terrorist groups, saying, “Pakistan is the epicentre of Takfirism and there is no difference in ideology between the terrorist groups in Pakistan and Daesh and Al-Qaeda."

Addressing the Indian community in Algeria as part of an all-party parliamentary delegation, Owaisi also gave an example of Islamabad's complicity in terrorism, saying that a terrorist had become a father while officially being incarcerated in Pakistan.

In a strong statement made during his delegation visit to Algeria—part of India’s global outreach programme following the Pahalgam terror attack—Owaisi stated, “Terrorism survives on two things — ideology and money. Ideology, as you know very well, you have seen the Black Decade. Even in southern Algeria, you still face some problems. On that point, we are united… Once you bring Pakistan back onto the FATF grey list, we will see a decrease in terrorism in India. We’ll see the killings go down. We have the 2018 experience when Algeria and other countries helped India.”

In a hard-hitting remark, the Hyderabad MP pointed to Pakistan’s special treatment of terrorist Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi in jail.

Emphasising Islamabad’s continued support for terrorism against India despite its collapsing economy, Owaisi said Pakistan is the epicentre of Takfirism and that there is no ideological difference between terror groups in Pakistan and those like Daesh and Al-Qaeda.

The comments came as India continues its diplomatic outreach, sending delegations abroad to build international pressure against terrorism and tell its side of the story in the wake of the brutal Pahalgam terror attack and India's military response under Operation Sindoor.