After the United Nations’ 1267 Sanctions Committee on Wednesday placed Masood Azhar on its sanctions list, Foreign Office Spokesperson Dr Mohammad Faisal confirmed that "Pakistan will immediately enforce the sanctions" imposed on the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) leader.
"This entails a ban on foreign travel, asset freeze and arms embargo, the FO spokesperson said, adding: "Pakistan maintains that terrorism is a menace to the world, including the Indian state sponsored terrorism against innocent Kashmiris in IOK."
Dr Faisal said that "the UNSC 1267 Sanctions Committee listing is governed by clear rules and its decisions are taken through consensus. Pakistan has always advocated the need for respecting these technical rules and has opposed the politicisation of the committee.
"Earlier proposals to list Masood Azhar failed to generate the requisite consensus in the Sanctions Committee as the information did not meet its technical criteria. These proposals were aimed at maligning Pakistan and the legitimate struggle of the people of Indian occupied Kashmir ... and were thus rejected by Pakistan.
"The current listing proposal has been agreed after all political references, including the removal of attempts to link it with Pulwama and maligning the legitimate struggle of the Kashmiris in IOK for realization of the right to self-determination.
"The Indian media’s attempts to build a narrative claiming it as a ‘victory’ for India and validation of its stance are absolutely false and baseless."
"Our position is in line with the statements of Prime Minister Imran Khan who clearly stated that there is no space for any proscribed organization or its affiliates to operate from Pakistani territory, our resolve for countering terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and our National Action Plan."
India had been seeking Azhar’s listing since 2016, but its latest push came after the February 14 Pulwama attack on the Central Reserve Police Force in India-held Kashmir, which was claimed by the JeM.
