Speaking at an international engagement in Riyadh, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) MP Asaduddin Owaisi called for Pakistan to be re-listed on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list, citing its continued support for terrorism and failure to act against designated terrorists. Owaisi is part of the all-party Indian parliamentary delegation led by BJP MP Baijayant Panda, currently visiting Saudi Arabia as part of a broader diplomatic initiative.
“Pakistan must be brought back to the FATF grey list. That is where we will be able to control the financing of terrorist organisations that are operating out of Pakistan with the aim of destabilising India,” Owaisi said during an interaction with Saudi think tanks and civil society representatives.
Owaisi presented photographic evidence of a U.S.-designated terrorist, Mohammad Ehsan, seated beside Pakistan’s Army Chief, General Asim Munir, as further proof of state complicity. “There is clear evidence. These groups are prospering and being trained in Pakistan. Their mission is to spread communal unrest and orchestrate Hindu-Muslim riots in India,” he asserted.
Recalling the aftermath of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, Owaisi slammed Pakistan’s initial refusal to act against the perpetrators. “Our investigators handed over all the evidence to Pakistan, but nothing moved. The only time action was taken was when FATF pressure mounted. Pakistan even lied about Sajid Mir, claiming he was dead. Later, under FATF scrutiny, they admitted he was alive and gave him a light sentence—not for terrorism, but for money laundering.”
He also highlighted intercepted communications during the 26/11 attacks in which Pakistani handlers were heard instructing the terrorists to kill as many people as possible and promising them ‘Jannat’ (heaven). “Our agencies recorded these conversations clearly showing the handlers motivating terrorists from across the border. Ajmal Kasab’s testimony confirmed everything. Despite due process and a fair trial, the masterminds in Pakistan remain untouched,” he said.
The delegation’s visit to Saudi Arabia is part of India’s broader outreach following Operation Sindoor, launched in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 civilian lives. The operation targeted terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, eliminating over 100 militants linked to groups such as Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba.
In addition to Owaisi and Panda, the delegation includes BJP MPs Nishikant Dubey, Phangnon Konyak, Rekha Sharma, Satnam Singh Sandhu, and former diplomat Harsh Shringla. Ghulam Nabi Azad was also part of the delegation earlier but returned to India due to health concerns.
The multi-party initiative aims to brief global partners, counter misinformation campaigns, and present India’s firm stance on cross-border terrorism. Upcoming stops on the delegation’s itinerary include Bahrain, Algeria, and Kuwait.
