India to Raise Masood Azhar and Jaish-e-Mohammed’s Digital Funding Network at FATF Meeting

India is expected to raise concerns over Pakistan’s actions against UN-designated terrorist Masood Azhar and the alleged financial networks supporting Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) at the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) plenary meeting in Paris from October 28 to 30, 2026. The issue has drawn renewed attention amid conflicting claims about Azhar’s whereabouts and reports alleging that JeM has been using digital payment platforms to collect funds and maintain its organisational network.

The developments highlight India’s continuing efforts to strengthen international cooperation against cross-border terrorism and terrorist financing. New Delhi is expected to emphasise that international commitments must be backed by verifiable action against designated terrorist leaders and the financial channels that allegedly support their activities.

People familiar with the matter said it is believed that Masood Azhar was in Kabul in the recent past and had travelled to Kunar and Khost provinces, located in eastern Afghanistan and bordering Pakistan (REUTERS) | Hindustan Times 

Masood Azhar’s Whereabouts Raise Questions

Masood Azhar, the founder of Jaish-e-Mohammed, remains a significant figure in India’s counter-terrorism concerns. The United Nations designated him a global terrorist in May 2019. JeM has been linked to major terrorist attacks in India, including the 2001 Parliament attack, the 2016 Pathankot airbase attack and the 2019 Pulwama bombing.

Pakistan has claimed that Azhar travelled to Afghanistan in 2019. However, Taliban spokesperson Zia Ahmad Thakal reportedly rejected the assertion that Azhar was in Afghanistan and said that Kabul had not received formal communication from Pakistan concerning his presence. The conflicting accounts have renewed questions about his whereabouts and the measures being taken to bring him to justice.

Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency has also included Azhar on its most-wanted list and announced a reward of seven million Pakistani rupees for information leading to his arrest or conviction. India’s concerns centre on whether such measures translate into concrete action against Azhar and the wider network associated with JeM.

Digital Funding Networks Under Scrutiny

India’s concerns also extend to reports alleging that Jaish-e-Mohammed has been using digital payment platforms to raise and transfer funds. An August 2025 report by The Economic Times cited security sources alleging that the organisation was using digital wallets, including Easypaisa and SadaPay, to collect donations through accounts reportedly linked to members of Azhar’s family.

The report also described alleged fundraising plans to support a network of religious centres. According to the reported allegations, transfers between accounts and cash withdrawals could make it more difficult for investigators to trace the movement of money and identify its ultimate recipients. These claims have not been independently established in their entirety, but they highlight the challenges authorities face when investigating suspected terrorist financing through digital channels.

The growing use of online payments makes financial monitoring and information-sharing increasingly important. Identifying suspicious transactions, tracing beneficiaries and enforcing targeted financial sanctions can help authorities prevent designated terrorist organisations from exploiting legitimate financial services.

FATF’s Role in Combating Terror Financing

The Financial Action Task Force is an international body that establishes standards to combat money laundering and terrorist financing. Its assessments examine whether countries have appropriate laws, financial safeguards and enforcement mechanisms to address these threats.

Pakistan was placed under increased monitoring in 2018 and removed from the FATF grey list in October 2022 after addressing the action plans identified by the organisation. However, removal from increased monitoring does not eliminate a country’s continuing obligations to enforce counter-terrorism financing measures.

India’s expected intervention highlights the importance of distinguishing formal compliance from effective implementation. The challenge is to ensure that financial regulations are enforced in practice and that individuals or organisations subject to international sanctions cannot continue accessing funds through alternative channels.

Why the Paris Meeting Matters

The October 2026 FATF plenary provides an international platform to discuss emerging financial threats and the implementation of counter-terrorism standards. India’s concerns over Azhar and the alleged digital funding networks associated with JeM bring together two important issues: accountability for designated terrorist leaders and the need to disrupt the financial systems that may sustain terrorist activities.

International cooperation will be essential to addressing these challenges. Financial institutions, regulators and law-enforcement agencies need to share relevant information and investigate suspicious transactions across borders. As payment technologies evolve, counter-terrorism measures must also adapt to prevent digital platforms from being misused.

The MGMM Outlook 

India’s expected intervention at the October 28–30, 2026, FATF plenary meeting in Paris highlights its continued efforts to strengthen international action against cross-border terrorism and terrorist financing. The focus on Jaish-e-Mohammed founder Masood Azhar, a UN-designated global terrorist, raises questions about his whereabouts and the effectiveness of measures taken against him. Reports alleging that JeM has used digital payment platforms to collect funds have also drawn attention to the need for stronger financial monitoring and accountability. Addressing these concerns through international cooperation can help ensure that designated terrorist organisations face greater obstacles in maintaining their operations and financial networks.

The growing use of digital payment systems makes it essential for financial institutions, regulators and law-enforcement agencies to identify suspicious transactions and prevent the misuse of legitimate platforms. The FATF provides an important international framework for strengthening these safeguards, while consistent enforcement of sanctions and transparent investigations remain crucial to achieving meaningful results. India’s efforts to raise these concerns reinforce the importance of holding terrorist networks accountable and ensuring that international commitments translate into effective action against the financial channels that may sustain terrorism.

(Sources: News18, Hindustan Times, Moneycontrol)