Masood Azhar Bounty Increase: Is Pakistan’s FATF Move Just Symbolic? Expert weighs | Today’s news
Pakistan appears to be making renewed efforts to demonstrate that it is taking action against terrorism and terrorist financing ahead of the October plenary meeting of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).
Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Monday released its 2026 list of most wanted terrorists, with Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar listed in the agency’s red book.
The FIA also increased the prize money for Azhar by PKR 20 million, taking the total prize money to PKR 70 million.
Quick answers to key questions
•5 QUESTIONS
The increased bounty on Masood Azhar is intended to demonstrate Pakistan’s commitment to combating terrorism and terrorist financing ahead of the FATF plenary, which is critical to preventing Pakistan from returning to the FATF gray list.
Pakistan has previously taken similar steps to reassure FATF member countries of its counter-terrorism efforts, often seen as a strategy to ease international scrutiny and pressure.
The FATF assesses Pakistan’s compliance based on the substance of its actions, including efforts to promote terrorism, rather than just symbolic gestures such as increasing rewards.
India can use Pakistan’s unfavorable FATF assessment, such as graylisting, as leverage in diplomatic negotiations regarding cross-border terrorism.
Experts suggest that while the reward reflects an effort to show action, its effectiveness will depend on the FATF’s perception of whether Pakistan’s actions are real or merely symbolic.
The timing of the announcement is important. With the FATF plenary scheduled to take place in October, Islamabad is under pressure to demonstrate that its actions against terrorism and terrorist financing are credible and enforceable.
‘Not for the first time’
Suresh K Goel, a former IFS officer, said Pakistan had taken similar steps in the past to demonstrate compliance and appease international partners.
“I think this is not the first time that Pakistan has taken such steps. We have seen Pakistan do this before, basically to convince or assure other member countries that it takes steps whenever needed,” Goel said.
He said the significance of the latest move would depend on how FATF members assess it.
“Ultimately, however, it will depend on how seriously member countries take this step and whether they believe Pakistan’s actions are substantive or merely symbolic.”
“FATF countries also have close ties with Pak”
Goel also pointed to the influence of FATF countries that maintain close ties with Pakistan.
“There are clearly countries within the FATF that are highly influential and also have close ties to Pakistan. So the real question is whether these countries will accept Pakistan’s latest move at face value or whether they will demand concrete and verifiable action against terrorism and terrorist financing.”
Read also | Omar Abdullah on Pakistan-US dispute over J&K: “A matter between the two countries”
Why October’s FATF Plenary Matters
The timing is particularly important given Pakistan’s history on the FATF gray list.
Islamabad was removed from the FATF’s enhanced monitoring process in October 2022 after completing action plans prescribed by the watchdog.
A return to increased monitoring could have significant economic and reputational consequences for Pakistan, especially given its continued economic vulnerability.
Goel said the latest announcement alone is unlikely to decide the FATF’s assessment.
“We will have to wait and see how it develops. The FATF’s decision will not entirely depend on this announcement by Pakistan,” Goel said.
In the end, the international community is likely to judge Pakistan on whether its actions lead to measurable, sustained and verifiable enforcement, and not just on announcements.
A smoke screen to avoid the gray list?
Masood Azhar’s case is particularly sensitive for India. The JeM chief is a terrorist designated by the UN Security Council and has long been associated with the Pakistan-based terrorist organization. He has been linked to several major attacks against India, including the 2001 Parliament attack, the 2016 Pathankot attack and the 2019 Pulwama attack.
JeM was also involved in the Kandahar hijacking in 1999, after which Azhar was released in exchange for a hostage.
After the Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 people were killed, India launched Operation Sindoor. It struck several terrorist targets across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, including JeM-linked facilities in Bahawalpur.
In this context, Azhar’s inclusion on Pakistan’s latest most wanted list is likely to attract attention in New Delhi.
Read also | JeM chief Masood Azhar’s sister heads JeM women’s wing in Pakistan: Report
How does it matter to India?
India is not likely to judge the announcement on the basis of increased remuneration alone.
Goel said the move would not fundamentally change his assessment of Pakistan’s actions.
“This particular step will have no real meaning for anyone trying to understand the situation. The decision on this issue does not depend on such steps, but on how FATF member countries assess the overall development.”
For New Delhi, the key question is whether Pakistan is taking sustained action against terrorist groups operating from its territory.
Goel said India would closely monitor developments and could use the unfavorable FATF assessment as diplomatic leverage against Pakistan.
“India is watching this move with great interest. If FATF graylists or blacklists Pakistan, it will bring significant leverage to India. Depending on the final decision of FATF, India will determine its next diplomatic steps.”
He said diplomatic pressure alone may not be enough unless Pakistan feels the tangible cost of supporting or enabling cross-border terrorism.
“Diplomatic moves will put some pressure on Pakistan. But unless Pakistan realizes that its policy of promoting cross-border terrorism comes at a cost, it will not stop.”
Goel pointed out that “Pakistan has historically viewed cross-border terrorism as a relatively cheap way of causing damage in India”.
“That’s why it has to cost something. But if Pakistan can adapt to the US despite everything they’ve done and be seen as a mediator on the ground, I don’t think it’s going to work. That’s why it’s a very complicated situation.”
A wider terrorist network
The FIA’s updated list also names 11 Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists accused of facilitating maritime travel to the attackers aboard Al-Hussaini and Al-Fauz boats.
The names include Muhammad Amjad Khan of Multan, Shahid Gafoor of Bahawalpur, Muhammad Usman of Sahiwal, Ateeq-ur-Rehman of Lahore, Riaz Ahmad of Hafizabad, Muhammad Mushtaq of Gujranwala, Muhammad Naeem of Dera Ghazi Khan, M Karafia of M. Shazir of Abdul Muhammad Usman of Lodhran and Shakeel Ahmed of Rahim Yar. Khan.
