The Jaish-e-Mohammad might have made Kashmir its focus, but its cadres have caused plenty of havoc in Pakistan as well, said a leading Pakistan daily, a day after the terror outfit's founder, Masood Azhar, was designated as a global terrorist by the United Nations Security Council.
In an editorial on Friday, the Dawn newspaper urged the government to shut down all militant groups and non-state actors that “promote hateful, divisive and sectarian narratives”. It said that the JeM terror group had caused nothing but trouble for Pakistan.
“Now, with the UN proscription, it is hoped that the group is permanently shut down and its head not allowed to continue his activities,” it said.
In what could be seen as a major diplomatic win for India, Masood Azhar was listed a global terrorist by a UNSC panel on Wednesday after China dropped its objections. After the ban, Masood Azhar will be subject to an assets freeze and a travel ban.
The Dawn said the state must realise that tolerating such groups is a liability for Pakistan. However, in an equal voice, the daily maintained that India cannot be allowed to link the “Kashmiri struggle for justice and rights” with terrorism.
“Perhaps if we had put our own house in order, India would not have been able to exploit the situation and associate jihadist groups with Pakistan,” it said.