Pakistan has officially included Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) founder Masood Azhar in the latest Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Red Book of high-profile wanted terrorists, in a move that puts the UN-designated terrorist within Islamabad’s formal wanted-person framework.
According to intelligence sources, Pakistan has also raised the bounty on Azhar by PKR 20 lakh. The reward for information leading to his arrest now stands at PKR 70 lakh.
Pakistan’s Move Comes Amid Terror Financing Scrutiny
The development comes as Pakistan faces continued international scrutiny over its efforts to curb terror financing, militant activities and money laundering.
Sources cited by CNN-News18 said that listing Azhar as an absconder and increasing the bounty could help Islamabad demonstrate compliance with international counterterrorism and anti-money laundering obligations.
However, the move has also raised questions over whether the listing will lead to actual enforcement action against one of the region’s most wanted terror figures.
India Maintains Masood Azhar Is in Pakistan
Masood Azhar has remained a longstanding point of contention between India and Pakistan. Indian security agencies have maintained that the JeM chief continues to operate from Pakistani territory.
Pakistan, on the other hand, has previously claimed that Azhar fled to Afghanistan.
Indian technical intelligence cited by sources reportedly places Azhar in Nawabshah, in Pakistan’s Sindh province. His addition to the FIA Red Book comes against the backdrop of Islamabad’s repeated claims that it is taking measures against terrorist groups operating from its soil.
Is Pakistan’s Action More Than a Formal Listing?
Security sources have described the latest development as potentially tactical, suggesting that publicly designating Azhar as a fugitive could help Pakistan project an image of stronger action against high-profile militants.
The listing, however, does not by itself establish that Pakistan has dismantled the leadership or operational infrastructure of Jaish-e-Mohammed.
Azhar is the founder and chief of JeM, a UN-designated terrorist organisation. His formal inclusion in Pakistan’s wanted list is therefore significant, but questions remain over whether Islamabad will take concrete steps to locate and arrest him.
The development is expected to draw renewed attention from India and international agencies monitoring Pakistan’s counterterrorism and terror-financing record.
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