Is Pakistan Planning to Allocate Rs 14 Crore to Masood Azhar?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Rajnath Singh warns of Pakistan's alleged funding to Masood Azhar.
- Pakistan plans to utilize IMF funds for rebuilding terrorist infrastructure.
- Concerns raised over the misuse of international aid for terrorism.
- India remains vigilant against Pakistan's actions.
- Operation Sindoor's future actions have been hinted at by Singh.
New Delhi/Bhuj, May 16 (NationPress) In a stark warning, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh highlighted Pakistan's alleged intentions to finance terrorism through taxpayer funds and external assistance. Speaking to troops at a military base in Gujarat's Bhuj, Singh asserted that the Pakistan government plans to allocate Rs 14 crore to Masood Azhar, the UN-designated terrorist and leader of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM).
“Pakistan intends to utilize money collected from its citizens to provide Rs 14 crore to Masood Azhar, the leader of the Jaish terrorist group, despite his designation as a terrorist by the UN,” Singh remarked.
During his address to the troops, the Defence Minister also noted that Pakistan is expected to use funds from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to restore the terrorist infrastructure that was dismantled during Operation Sindoor—India's military retaliation against the April 22 Pahalgam terror incident perpetrated by Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).
“The Pakistan government has indicated it will provide financial support to reconstruct the terror infrastructure of Lashkar and Jaish in Muridke and Bahawalpur,” Singh added.
These comments follow India’s strong objections to the IMF’s suggested $2.3 billion financial bailout for Pakistan. New Delhi has raised alarms that such funds could be misappropriated to bolster terrorist organizations.
“Any financial support for Pakistan translates to funding terrorist activities. The IMF must reassess its decision,” asserted Singh. “The IMF’s assistance to Pakistan indirectly fuels terrorism.”
Despite India's abstention from the voting process, the IMF proposal passed.
Recently, India expressed concerns that this aid could empower Pakistan to revive and sustain groups like JeM and LeT, which have orchestrated lethal attacks on Indian territory, including the 2019 Pulwama and 2016 Uri assaults.
Earlier, Singh indicated that Operation Sindoor was merely a preview and that the Indian armed forces would reveal the complete narrative at a suitable time.
“Operation Sindoor isn’t concluded. What the world witnessed was just a preview, and the Indian armed forces will unveil the entire story when the moment is right,” Singh informed the air warriors and security personnel at the IAF base in Gujarat's Bhuj.
Critiquing Pakistan for fostering terror operations on its soil, the Defence Minister stated that the rogue state had come to recognize the might of the BrahMos missile.
“Just as any habitual offender is monitored, we have placed Pakistan under scrutiny. The ceasefire does not mean an end to actions. If Pakistan continues its mischief, our forces will deliver a decisive lesson. Again!” he concluded.