India is preparing to present video evidence before the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) showing internationally designated terrorists moving freely in Pakistan, according to Indian officials. The move is aimed at mounting pressure on Islamabad ahead of the next FATF plenary, scheduled to be held in Paris, France from 26 to 30 October this year. Pakistan, which exited the FATF Grey List after committing to stronger action on terror financing, now faces renewed scrutiny over what officials describe as a brazen pattern of legitimising terror outfits through political fronts.

The PMML Connection

At the centre of India's case is the Pakistan Markazi Muslim League (PMML), which Indian officials allege is a political front for the Lashkar-e-Tayiba (LeT). In a recent instance that officials say is emblematic of the pattern, the president of the Islamabad wing of the PMML was seen attending the funeral of former Pakistan cricketer Shoaib Akhtar's brother alongside Hafiz Talha Saeed — son of LeT founder Hafiz Saeed — and LeT deputy Saifullah Kasauri.

According to an Intelligence Bureau official, the PMML is being used as a vehicle to allow internationally designated terrorists to appear at public events under the cover of political activity. 'Pakistan is desperately trying to portray internationally designated terrorists as political leaders,' the official said. 'This is why there is so much emphasis on ensuring that these persons are visible at public events and other programmes.'

The JuD Playbook Repeated

Indian officials argue that the PMML strategy mirrors the earlier use of Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD), the financial wing of the Lashkar-e-Tayiba, which was a primary factor in Pakistan's original placement on the FATF Grey List. In that instance, Pakistan projected JuD as a charity organisation while senior LeT figures appeared regularly at its events. India built up a dossier against those designated terrorists, which eventually prompted a FATF investigation.

Officials say the current approach is structurally identical — replacing a charity front with a political one — but with the added dimension of public visibility at government-adjacent functions. Serving officers of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and the Pakistan Army have, according to officials, attended funerals of terrorists and publicised their attendance, which India views as deliberate signalling to domestic constituencies while maintaining a veneer of legitimacy internationally.

India's Evidence-Building Strategy

Indian officials say they are systematically collecting videos circulating on both PMML-linked and LeT-linked social media channels. This material, they say, will form the evidentiary basis of India's presentation at the next FATF hearing. 'The case that is being built up is a strong one and Pakistan would find it hard to explain a lot of things before the FATF,' an official said.

Officials also noted that the FATF had specifically warned Pakistan about continued backing of terror groups and the funds they raise, making the current public display of terrorist figures all the more difficult for Islamabad to defend before the body.

What Happens Next

The next FATF plenary and Working Group meetings are set for Paris from 26 to 30 October. India is expected to formally table its evidence at those sessions. Pakistan's ability to remain off the Grey List will depend, in part, on its response to these allegations. Officials in New Delhi say the formation of the PMML was itself a calculated step to confer political legitimacy on terror networks — and that the international community needs to be repeatedly made aware of this pattern.