Pakistan Increases Bounty on Jaish-e-Mohammed Chief Masood Azhar Amid FATF Scrutiny
Pakistan's Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has increased the bounty on Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar to 70 lakh Pakistani rupees, up from 50 lakh rupees. This announcement is part of the FIA's annual 'Red Book,' which lists the country's most-wanted high-profile terrorists. Masood Azhar is listed as an absconding terrorist, with his inclusion date on the list being December 31, 2021. The move comes as Pakistan faces ongoing scrutiny from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) regarding its efforts to combat money laundering and terrorist financing. While Pakistan was removed from the FATF's 'grey list' in October 2022, it remains under monitoring due to concerns about its compliance with anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing standards. Indian agencies believe Azhar is hiding in Pakistan, despite Pakistan's claims since 2021 that he has fled to Afghanistan. Former Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi stated in 2019 that Azhar was in Pakistan and too ill to leave his home,...
