The Foreign Office (FO) on Friday firmly rejected the US State Department’s designation of The Resistance Front (TRF) as a foreign terrorist organization, calling the claim that it is a proxy of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) “baseless.” Pakistan emphasized that it has already dismantled banned groups, prosecuted their leaders, and deradicalized members. The statement came after the US blacklisted TRF over its alleged involvement in the April 22 Pahalgam attack, which killed 26 people and escalated tensions between India and Pakistan.
Pakistan Condemns Terrorism, Seeks Neutral Investigations
Pakistan reiterated its “zero tolerance” policy toward terrorism and urged the international community to adopt an “objective and non-discriminatory” approach. The FO pointed out that investigations into the Pahalgam attack remain inconclusive and accused India of exploiting such designations for propaganda. It also called for listing groups like the Majeed Brigade—an alias of the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA)—as terrorist entities. Additionally, Pakistan highlighted its counterterrorism successes, including the arrest of Mohammad Sharifullah, the alleged mastermind of the 2021 Kabul airport bombing.
FATF Delisting and Legal Actions Against Terror Financiers
The FO statement noted Pakistan’s progress in combating terrorism financing, referencing its 2022 removal from the FATF grey list after fulfilling action plans. It also mentioned the 33-year prison sentence given to LeT chief Hafiz Saeed in terror financing cases. Pakistan stressed that its legal and counterterrorism measures demonstrate its commitment to global security, rejecting any insinuation of lax enforcement.
Call for International Cooperation Against Terrorism
Pakistan urged the world to avoid politicizing counterterrorism efforts and instead focus on collective action. The FO warned against India’s attempts to shift attention from its human rights violations in Kashmir while using terror allegations to malign Pakistan. The statement concluded with a call for fairness, transparency, and evidence-based policies in the global fight against extremism.
