Elements in Pakistan continue to be major source of terrorist financingPosted by New Delhi Times Bureau
A report by the US Treasury Department in Washington blames unidentified elements in Pakistan as major sources of terrorist financing. A British government report also found evidence of such funding via donations from Pakistan and Afghanistan to terrorist groups in Syria. Terrorist financing also became the focus of discussions at a White House mid-November meeting between US security officials and Pakistani Army Chief Gen Raheel Sharif. ”Terrorist Financing Risk Assessment, 2015″ report found the Haqqani Network generating funds from a wide range of sources in Pakistan and Afghanistan including businesses, smuggling, extortion, and kidnapping for ransom.
The Lashkar-e-Taiba receives funds from within Pakistan, through charitable front organisations like Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JUD) and Falah-i-Insaniyat Foundation (FIF) and additional funds from commercial ventures and private donations during Ramazan and sale of animal hides during the Eid-ul-Azha.
Faisal Shahzad, who tried to blow New York’s Times Square, received funds from a TTP supporter in Pakistan. Saifullah Anjum Ranjha-a Pakistani national- pleaded guilty in US to laundering money and financing terror through international drug trafficking and international smuggling of counterfeit cigarettes and weapons. Another Pakistani is accused of manufacturing heroin in clandestine laboratories along the Afghan border and leading one of the largest heroin trafficking organisations in the world. He used to send the drug to more than 20 countries, including the United States. ‘Proceeds from his heroin trafficking were then used to support high-level members of the Taliban in furtherance of their insurgency in Afghanistan’- revealed the report.
In Pakistan the donations for ‘charity’ are usually diverted, drugs are sold, and legitimate-looking store fronts are used to collect funds, as small businesses are forced to pay protection money. Haqqani network operates in Afghanistan with Pakistan’s complicity. The group is involved in opium trade in Afghanistan as opium money directly funds warlords and escalates militancy. Such material evidences notwithstanding, Pakistan government has resorted to habitual denial. In spite of knowing the truth it refuses to accept, as intention is not honest. Unfortunately, there seems to be no change in its policy on terror as it still refuses to learn from past mistakes. When will Pakistan shun terror and start living as humans? Time is now ripe for a fundamental change in Pak society.
It is never too late for Pakistan to change its policy for the better.The earlier it is done, the better. Stifling terror financing should be made a part of National Action Plan. Investments in secular education and making normal education compulsory for Madrasas could reverse the current trend of indoctrination leading to religious fundamentalism. Audit of Madrass funds- Lal Masjid in particular- must be made mandatory. Strict implementation of the Anti-Terrorism Act (1997)- especially of Section 11EEEE- for suspected involvement in terror financing and embezzlement of funds will do wonders.
Pakistan is a country where making a fake id, a fake passport, fake documentation, or opening account in any bank is damn easy. Currently many tools are available to track terror funds; what is required is the strong will to implement. Strengthening the IT and surveillance infrastructure, as well as stringent enforcement of law to intercept and interpret data are needed. Corrupt politicians also provide moral and financial support to terrorists. The main financiers of terror feel emboldened when leaders of known US-designated terrorist organisations are roaming free and taking out rallies. The government’s capacity and intention to fight terror has lost its credibility. Pakistan must seriously introspect on the direction it wants its society to move. Once Pakistan government stops playing the double game and ceases to support terrorists, relationship with neighbours-India, Afghanistan and Iran- will definitely improve.
