Rajnath Singh Urges IMF to Reconsider $1 Billion Aid to Pakistan, Cites Terror Funding Risk

India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday made a strong appeal to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to reevaluate its recent approval of a $1 billion aid package to Pakistan, warning that such financial assistance could indirectly support terrorism. Singh issued the statement during his visit to the Bhuj Air Force Station in Gujarat’s Kutch district, where he addressed personnel following the Indian Armed Forces' recent retaliatory operation against terror camps in Pakistan.

“Any financial assistance to Pakistan is no less than terror funding,” Singh declared, citing credible intelligence that Islamabad is diverting resources toward rebuilding terror infrastructure dismantled during India's recent Operation Sindoor. “Pakistan has started providing funds to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) for rebuilding their destroyed bases in Muridke and Bahawalpur,” he added.

Defence minister Rajnath Singh at the Bhuj Air Force Station. (PTI)

Singh further revealed that Pakistan has allocated ₹14 crore to Masood Azhar, a UN-designated terrorist and the leader of JeM, for reorganizing his militant network. "This money will not aid Pakistan's economy—it will only empower terror groups,” he said, warning that such moves could severely destabilize the region.

Background: Operation Sindoor and the Pahalgam Attack

India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7 in response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, which claimed the lives of 25 tourists and a local. In a swift and coordinated military campaign, India struck nine terrorist camps across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir using fighter jets, precision missiles, and drones. Further airstrikes on May 9 and 10 targeted 13 Pakistani military installations.

Following this, a temporary ceasefire was agreed upon, but Singh warned that this ceasefire is conditional. “Pakistan is on probation. If they try anything again, our response will be far more intense,” he cautioned.

Blurred Lines Between State and Terror

Expressing grave concern over the internal dynamics of Pakistan, Singh emphasized that the line between state and non-state actors has all but disappeared. “The risk of Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal falling into the hands of terrorists is real,” he warned. He called on the international community, particularly the IMF, to take note of this dangerous situation before releasing any financial support that could be weaponized.

A Poet's Warning to Pakistan

To underline his warning, Singh quoted renowned Urdu poet Bashir Badr:

 "Kagaz ka hai libaas, chiragon ka shahar hai; chalna sambhal sambhal ke kyunki tum nashe mein ho"

(“The clothing is made of paper, and this is a city of lamps; walk carefully, for you are intoxicated.”)

This poetic yet pointed message was directed at Pakistan’s leadership, urging them to tread cautiously rather than continue down a destructive path of harboring terror groups.

A Call for Global Responsibility

Singh concluded his address by appealing directly to international organizations like the IMF. “The world cannot afford to look the other way. If global institutions enable terror states financially, they share the blame for what comes next.”

This was Rajnath Singh’s second major military base visit following the execution of Operation Sindoor, reinforcing India’s message: while India seeks peace, it will not hesitate to act when its security and citizens are threatened.

(Sources: Hindustan Times, NDTV, India Today)