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According to Afghanistan’s local media outlet Tolo News, Talibani spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid has denied that JeM chief Maulana Masood Azhar is in Afghanistan and instead is in Pakistan.
This comes as Pakistan has written a letter to Afghanistan demanding the arrest of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) chief Maulana Masood Azhar, according to Bol News, citing sources, and adding that Maulana Masood Azhar is most likely present in Afghanistan’s Nangarhar and Kanhar provinces.
However, in response to the letter, Islamic Emirate spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid stated, “The leader of the Jaesh-e-Mohammad group is not in Afghanistan. This is an organisation that could be in Pakistan. Anyway, he’s not in Afghanistan, and we’ve never been asked anything like this. We’ve heard about it in the news. Our reaction is that this is not correct “According to Tolo News,
Furthermore, the Taliban-led Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) stated that such allegations could harm relations between Kabul and Islamabad. “We also urge all parties to refrain from making such claims in the absence of proof and documentation. Such media allegations can harm bilateral relations “According to Abdul Qahar Balkhi, a Talibani spokesman.
This report comes after the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), based in Paris, compelled Islamabad to take action against some of the UN-designated terrorists, allowing them to be removed from the grey list.
Notably, Pakistan’s recent action against Lashkar e Taiba (LeT) operational commander Sajid Mir, whom it had declared dead until now, is the result of FATF pressure on Pakistan.
Azhar, according to Pakistan, is not present there and is more likely in Afghanistan. He continues to publish articles on Pakistani social media networks encouraging JeM cadres to engage in jihad and praising the Taliban’s takeover of Kabul, despite Pakistan’s assertions that he cannot be located, according to South Asia Press. He also claims that the Taliban’s victory will pave the way for Muslim victories elsewhere.
