Asaduddin Owaisi Criticizes Pakistan as a Hub of Takfirism During Algeria Visit

Owaisi's Strong Remarks on Pakistan

Asaduddin Owaisi, the chief of All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) and a Member of Parliament, expressed strong criticism of Pakistan during an all-party delegation visit to Algeria. He labeled Pakistan as the "epicenter of Takfirism," asserting that there is no ideological distinction between terrorist organizations in Pakistan and groups like Daesh and Al-Qaeda. Speaking to Algerian media, think tank representatives, and the Indian community, Owaisi stated, "Pakistan's terrorist factions believe they have religious justification for their actions, which is fundamentally incorrect. Islam does not condone the killing of innocents, yet this is their prevailing ideology."

Owaisi reiterated his call for reinstating Pakistan on the Financial Action Task Force's (FATF) Grey list, emphasizing that such a move would help reduce terrorism in India.

The Impact of FATF's Grey List

Owaisi elaborated, "Terrorism thrives on two pillars: ideology and funding. You are aware of the issues stemming from the Black Decade in Algeria. If Pakistan is placed back on the FATF Grey list, we can expect a decline in terrorist activities in India, similar to the experiences of 2018 when Algeria and other nations supported India." He highlighted the effectiveness of the FATF Grey list in combating terrorism, citing the case of Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, a terrorist who faced charges yet fathered a child while imprisoned. His trial accelerated once Pakistan was added to the Grey list.

Owaisi stressed that this issue transcends South Asia, noting, "As the fourth-largest economy, we cannot allow this violence to spread across the region. It is crucial for global peace to manage Pakistan, the primary supporter of terrorism, by reinstating it on the FATF Grey list."

BJP MP's Critique of Pakistan

In a related discussion, BJP MP Baijayant Panda condemned Pakistan for allegedly using its nuclear capabilities to protect its terrorist operations. He stated, "Pakistan has leveraged its nuclear power to facilitate terrorist training, funding, and arming initiatives. This is not merely my assertion; it is widely recognized and documented."

The delegation led by Baijayant Panda includes notable parliamentarians and officials, such as Nishikant Dubey, S. Phangnon Konyak, Rekha Sharma, Asaduddin Owaisi, Satnam Singh Sandhu, Ghulam Nabi Azad, and former Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla. India has been proactive in sending all-party delegations to demonstrate its commitment to combating terrorism and to seek international support for a unified approach against this global menace.