INDIA ACCUSES PAK OF SHIELDING TERRORISTS

NEW DELHI: Even as the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) assesses Islamabad’s compliance with a counterterror financing action plan, India on Thursday accused Pakistan of continuing to shelter terror groups and failing to act against Un-designated terrorists such as Jaish-e-mohammed chief Masood Azhar and Dawood Ibrahim.

Addressing the media at a weekly briefing, external affairs ministry spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said Pakistan had addressed only 21 of the 27 items in the action plan given by FATF to curb terror financing and money laundering. Srivastava’s remarks came against the backdrop of the multilateral watchdog’s virtual plenary meeting, which is widely expected to decide by Friday on retaining Pakistan in its “grey list”.

Srivastava said Pakistani forces arrayed along the LOC had carried out “3,800 unprovoked ceasefire violations” this year as part of the efforts to push terrorists into J&K. There were efforts to drop arms and ammunition across the ceasefire line and smuggle weapons and narcotics across the international boundary using drones, he added.

“As is well known, Pakistan continues to provide safe havens to terrorist entities and individuals and has also not yet taken any action against several terrorist entities and individuals, including those proscribed by the UN Security Council, such as [ JEM chief] Masood Azhar, Dawood Ibrahim and [Lashkare-taiba operations commander] Zakirur-rahman Lakhvi.”

“It is understood that Pakistan has addressed only 21 action items so far out of the total 27 points in FATF’S action plan. Six important action items are yet to be addressed,” he said.

Though Srivastava didn’t give details, people familiar with developments said these six items included action against non-profit organisations and charities used by terror groups such as JEM and LET to raise funds, and the prosecution of individuals linked to illegal financial activities of terror groups.