India has dismissed Pakistan’s decision to raise the reward for information about Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar to PKR 70 lakh, with Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal calling it another familiar tactic by Islamabad.
Speaking in Delhi, Jaiswal said Pakistan’s use of such moves was not new. He described the action as a gimmick and said India had seen similar attempts before.
What Pakistan announced
Pakistan has listed Azhar as a fugitive and announced a reward of PKR 70 lakh for information about him, according to related reports dated 14 September 2026. The decision was reported ahead of a Financial Action Task Force (FATF) meeting.
The reports identify Azhar as the chief of Jaish-e-Mohammed. They describe the reward increase and fugitive listing as actions taken by Pakistan before the FATF meeting.
India’s response
Jaiswal’s remarks signal that India remains sceptical of Pakistan’s announcement. Rather than treating the reward as evidence of a meaningful policy shift, he characterised it as part of a pattern of public actions that India has seen previously.
His response focused on the credibility of the announcement and Pakistan’s conduct, without indicating that India considered the move sufficient to change its assessment.
The development places the reward announcement in the wider context of scrutiny linked to the FATF meeting. Pakistan’s decision to publicly identify Azhar as a fugitive and attach a financial reward to information about him is therefore being viewed alongside that upcoming international review.
Why the announcement matters
The case concerns a senior figure associated with Jaish-e-Mohammed and has drawn attention because Pakistan’s announcement contrasts with India’s criticism of the way Islamabad has handled such matters in the past.
The immediate dispute is over whether the reward and fugitive designation represent substantive action or a public-relations move. India’s official reaction makes clear that New Delhi has chosen the latter interpretation.
What happens next
The reward announcement and Pakistan’s fugitive listing are expected to remain part of the context surrounding the FATF meeting. The available reporting does not establish any further action arising from the announcement.
Conclusion
Pakistan has announced a PKR 70 lakh reward for information about Masood Azhar and listed him as a fugitive, while India has dismissed the move as a familiar gimmick ahead of the FATF meeting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What reward has Pakistan announced for information about Masood Azhar?
Pakistan has announced a reward of PKR 70 lakh.
Q. Who is Masood Azhar?
Masood Azhar is identified in the reporting as the chief of Jaish-e-Mohammed.
Q. What did India say about Pakistan’s announcement?
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal described such actions as familiar gimmicks and said India had seen them before.
Q. Has Pakistan listed Masood Azhar as a fugitive?
Yes. Related reports dated 14 September 2026 said Pakistan listed him as a fugitive.
Q. Why was the announcement made before the FATF meeting?
Related coverage reported that the action came ahead of a FATF meeting. The reporting does not establish any further reason for the timing.
