Bilawal Bhutto Comments on Masood Azhar’s Whereabouts
Pakistani leader Bilawal Bhutto recently stated that the Pakistani government currently has no confirmed information about the location of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) Chief Masood Azhar, one of India's most-wanted terrorists. Speaking in an interview, Bhutto indicated that Islamabad would act if credible evidence places Azhar on Pakistani soil.
Pakistan Open to Cooperation if Proof is Provided
In a candid conversation, Bhutto emphasized that Pakistan is willing to arrest Masood Azhar if the Indian government supplies trustworthy intelligence confirming his presence within Pakistan. He said, "If and when the Indian government shares information with us that he is on Pakistani soil, we would be more than happy to arrest him." However, Bhutto also remarked that such verified information has yet to be provided.
Azhar’s Terror Links and Global Designation
Masood Azhar has been linked to a host of deadly attacks in India, including the 2001 Indian Parliament attack, the 2008 Mumbai attacks, the 2016 Pathankot airbase assault, and the 2019 Pulwama bombing. The United Nations officially designated him as a global terrorist in 2019. Notably, he was released from Indian custody in 1999 following a hostage exchange after the hijacking of Indian Airlines flight IC-814.
Extradition Demands and Pakistan’s Denials
India has repeatedly demanded Azhar’s extradition alongside Lashkar-e-Taiba founder Hafiz Saeed. Yet, Pakistan has consistently denied sheltering them despite various indications suggesting their presence within the country. Addressing Hafiz Saeed’s status, Bhutto refuted reports claiming Saeed roams free, stating he is currently in the custody of Pakistani authorities.
Possible Refuge in Afghanistan
Bhutto suggested that Masood Azhar might be hiding in Afghanistan, attributing this to Azhar's involvement in the Afghan jihad in the past. This hints at the difficulty Islamabad faces in apprehending him, reinforcing the complexity of his current whereabouts.
Call for Indo-Pak Cooperation Against Terrorism
Earlier this week, Bhutto extended an olive branch to India, urging New Delhi to collaborate in combating terrorism. He called for a "historic, phenomenal partnership" between the two neighbours, urging leadership on both sides to abandon adversarial postures.
He appealed to India's leadership to "step down from the high horse" and work towards peace with Pakistan, highlighting their shared responsibility to protect a billion lives from extremism.
