On 14 August 2025, Pakistan celebrated its Independence Day. But the scene that came out on this occasion once again exposed the double attitude of Islamabad on terrorism. Let us tell you that a terrorist associated with a banned terrorist organization like Lashkar-e-Taiba was not only shocked by senior military officers and civil administration officials to pay tribute to the tomb of a terrorist associated with the banned terrorist organization, but it is also a proof that the government of Pakistan and the army are still providing “state protection” to these organizations.
Mudassir Ahmed, who was a terrorist, has been given the status of ‘martyr’ in Pakistan. The officials who paid tribute to Mudassir Ahmed present in Muridke, Lahore, included Major General Rao Imran Sartaj (GOC, Lahore Division), Federal Minister Malik Rashid Ahmed Khan, District Police Officer Kasur Muhammad Isa Khan and Deputy Commissioner Imran Ali. Let us tell you that Mudassir Ahmed was not an ordinary character. It was a ‘high-value target’ directly associated with India’s IC-814 aircraft kidnapping (1999) and Pulwama attack (2019). He and other notorious terrorists such as Yusuf Azhar and Abdul Malik Rauf were killed during the “Operation Sindoor” conducted by India.
Mudassir was cremated on 7 May at Muridke. The surprising thing was that his Namaz-e-Janaza Lashkar commander Abdur Rauf (internationally banned terrorist, which has been declared by the US Global Terrorist) studies. Senior Pakistani Army officers and Inspector General of Punjab Police were also present on the occasion. All this shows that the Pakistani state gives terrorists not only sympathy, but also respect.
If seen, on the one hand, Pakistan calls itself a victim of terrorism on international forums and claims to fight against terror, on the other hand its generals and ministers are offering flowers to the grave of terrorists who have been declared terrorists by both UN and US. Let us tell you that the leaders of Pakistan have shouted flowers on the coffins of terrorists. On some occasions, they have been given even the Guard of Honor and now their graves are being saluted on national festivals. All this proves that terrorism in Pakistan has become a tool of state policy.
If seen, such incidents not only disrupt the peace process in South Asia, but also increase security concerns for India. India does not have to prove that Pakistan has become a ‘Terristan’-Pakistan’s own functions keep confirming this. Now the time has come to hold the United Nations, America and other international institutions accountable to Pakistan for its action. Only financial restrictions are not enough – unless supporters of terrorism present in the state structure of Pakistan are punished, it would be impossible to root out global terrorism.
However, the official tribute to Pakistan to Mudassir Ahmed and other terrorists is a testimony that terrorism has become not just an organized crime, but has become a political and strategic tool. This type of events on Independence Day are an indication that Pakistan is still in ‘slavery’ – but this slavery is the ideology of terrorism. This development is a clear message for the whole world including India: Pakistan’s stance towards terrorism is not a ‘conflict’, but a well -planned strategy – which is now the responsibility of the entire international fraternity.