Daijiworld Media Network – Algiers
Algiers, Jun 1: AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Saturday launched a sharp attack on Pakistan, accusing it of fueling regional instability by sheltering terrorists. Addressing the Indian community in Algeria, where he was part of an all-party parliamentary delegation, Owaisi cited the case of 26/11 mastermind Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi to highlight Islamabad’s duplicity.
“There was this one terrorist called Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi no country in the world would allow a terrorist facing such charges to walk free. But he became a father while in jail. Pakistan only acted when it was put on the FATF Grey List,” Owaisi said, pointing to Pakistan’s double standards and lack of genuine action against terror elements.
He stressed that global pressure worked briefly in the past and must be reapplied. “If Pakistan is put back on the Grey list, terror incidents in India will go down. We saw this in 2018,” he noted.
Calling terrorism a global threat, the Hyderabad MP warned that Pakistan’s actions no longer affect just South Asia. “We are the fourth-largest economy. Do we want this carnage to spread further? Controlling Pakistan is essential for world peace,” he asserted.
Referring to the ideological roots of terrorism, Owaisi remarked, “Terrorism survives on two things: ideology and money. You have faced it too the Black Decade in Algeria. On this, we stand together.”
Owaisi didn’t mince words in branding Pakistan as the epicentre of radical ideology. “There is no difference between the ideology of Pakistani terror groups and Daesh or Al-Qaeda. They falsely claim religious sanction, but Islam does not allow the killing of innocents,” he said.
He also welcomed growing India-Algeria ties, noting, “We signed a defence MoU in November. Hopefully, our Prime Minister will visit Algeria soon and the Algerian President will visit India. This will strengthen our relationship.”
The delegation observed a moment of silence for the victims of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives. The visit comes after India’s military response under Operation Sindoor, launched on May 7, targeting terror camps in Pakistan and PoJK. Over 100 terrorists were eliminated, followed by Pakistani drone attacks and cross-border shelling. Indian strikes damaged 11 Pakistani airbases, prompting a temporary ceasefire on May 10.