New Delhi: Asaduddin Owaisi, the president of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), delivered a powerful statement during an All-Party Delegation meeting held in Bahrain, directly addressing Pakistan’s alleged involvement in cross-border terrorism. Owaisi’s speech, which garnered significant attention, detailed India’s long-standing struggle against terrorism originating from Pakistan.
He pointed to the substantial loss of innocent lives in numerous attacks, including the Pehelgam attack, where 26 tourists were killed and the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. Owaisi underscored India’s policy of exercising maximum restraint despite these provocations, emphasising the immense human suffering caused by these acts of violence. He provided examples to highlight Pakistan’s alleged duplicity, noting instances where individuals convicted of money laundering related to terrorism were not held accountable for the actual terrorist acts themselves.
He cited the case of Zakir-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, a UN-designated terrorist whose wife gave birth to a child while he was imprisoned. This, Owaisi argued, demonstrated a failure of Pakistan’s justice system and tacit state support for terrorism.
Owaisi’s address also highlighted the limitations of India’s response, acknowledging the significant technological advancements and the capabilities of India’s air defence systems, which have negated the damage from attacks originating in Pakistan. Owaisi did point out the damage that had been done to the Poonch region.
The AIMIM leader called for increased international pressure on Pakistan, specifically appealing to the Bahraini government to maintain Pakistan’s greylisting under the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). He argued that funds generated through money laundering are channelled to support terrorist operations. His remarks underscore the need for global cooperation to counter the threat of cross-border terrorism and hold Pakistan accountable for its alleged role in fostering regional instability.
The speech concluded by asserting India’s resolve to protect its citizens and reiterating its commitment to taking decisive action against future attacks.
