WORLD · 15 Sep 2026 · 02:24 GMT ·1 min read

Pakistan Increases Bounty on Jaish Chief Masood Azhar Ahead of FATF Plenary Meeting

Pakistan increased the bounty for the capture of Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar to 7 million Pakistani rupees.

NEUTRALITY 82 · BALANCED· 4 sources

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Pakistan increased the bounty for the capture of Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar to 7 million Pakistani rupees. The Federal Investigation Agency lists the 58-year-old militant at serial number 1480 in its 2026 Red Book. Pakistan authorities claim Azhar fled to Afghanistan. The Taliban government rejects this assertion. This increase precedes the Financial Action Task Force plenary meeting in Paris on October 26, 2026. Critics, including Indian commentators, argue the bounty is a tactical effort to influence international perception regarding terror financing.

Context

Masood Azhar leads the militant group Jaish-e-Mohammed. He has influenced regional security for decades. Pakistani authorities seek his arrest under the Anti-Terrorism Act of 1997.

Supportive perspectives

Authorities raised the bounty from 5 million to 7 million Pakistani rupees. This adjustment marks a 40% increase from the 5 million rupee reward established in 2021.
The Federal Investigation Agency listed Masood Azhar as entry 1480 in its 2026 Red Book. The document contains 1,804 entries.
The action coincides with Pakistan’s preparations for the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) plenary meeting. The session takes place in Paris from October 26 through October 30, 2026. The FATF sets global standards for combating money laundering and the financing of militant groups.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will meet US President Donald Trump in October 2026. The leaders plan to discuss regional security and the status of designated militant groups.

Critical perspectives

Critics describe the bounty as a symbolic gesture intended to influence international perceptions of militant groups in Pakistan. These observers claim the government introduced the policy to reduce scrutiny during upcoming international reviews.
Pakistan claims Masood Azhar fled to Afghanistan to evade capture. The Taliban government rejected this claim. This disagreement creates a diplomatic impasse regarding the location of the militant.
Indian authorities allege that Masood Azhar received support from the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) of Pakistan. This claim contrasts with Pakistan's official bounty declarations regarding the militant leader.