Archive · 14 Sep 2026
Pakistan Maintains Rs 7 Million Bounty on Masood Azhar
Pakistan says it will pay up to 7 million rupees for information that helps capture Masood Azhar.
Azhar leads Jaish-e-Mohammed, a group accused of attacks in India.
Pakistan lists him in its official Red Book of wanted terrorists.
The list says he is wanted in three cases under Pakistan’s Anti-Terrorism Act.
Pakistan says Azhar left the country and went to Afghanistan.
India and other reports question that claim.
The reward announcement happened before an important meeting about stopping terrorist financing.
Some reports say the reward increased from 2 million rupees, while others say it increased from 5 million.
Critics say the announcement may be intended to show international officials that Pakistan is taking action.
Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency continues to list Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar in its Red Book of most-wanted terrorists.
The FIA entry offers up to PKR 7 million for information leading directly to Azhar’s apprehension or conviction.
Reports differ on whether the reward rose from PKR 2 million or PKR 5 million.
Pakistan says Azhar fled to Afghanistan, while India and other reports question whether he remains in Pakistan.
The announcement comes before the Financial Action Task Force plenary scheduled for October 26–30, 2026, in Paris.
- Who
- Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency announced a reward for information about Masood Azhar, the Jaish-e-Mohammed chief.
- What
- The FIA continues to list Azhar in its Red Book and offers up to PKR 7 million for information leading to his apprehension or conviction.
- When
- The latest reports came ahead of the FATF plenary scheduled for October 26–30, 2026.
- Where
- The listing and reward are in Pakistan; the FATF plenary is scheduled in Paris.
- Why
- Pakistan presents the reward as an enforcement measure, while critics view it as a possible symbolic step ahead of international scrutiny.
Pakistan’s stated enforcement position
Critics’ and Indian agencies’ assessment
Purpose of the reward
Pakistan’s stated enforcement position
Pakistan has listed Azhar as a fugitive, maintained a reward and recorded three cases against him under its Anti-Terrorism Act.
Critics’ and Indian agencies’ assessment
Critics describe the move as an ostensible or symbolic crackdown intended to demonstrate action before the FATF plenary.
Azhar’s location
Pakistan’s stated enforcement position
Pakistan has maintained since 2021 that Azhar left the country and fled to Afghanistan.
Critics’ and Indian agencies’ assessment
India and other reports question whether he remains in Pakistan; Taliban representatives and an Afghan official disputed claims that he is operating from Afghanistan.
Attribution of attacks
Pakistan’s stated enforcement position
Indian authorities have linked Jaish-e-Mohammed and Azhar to attacks including those in Parliament, Pathankot and Pulwama, while some reports also associate him with the Mumbai attacks.
Critics’ and Indian agencies’ assessment
The articles note differing attribution for some incidents, including claims that the Pahalgam attack was carried out by Lashkar-e-Taiba rather than Jaish-e-Mohammed.
- Reward
- Up to PKR 7 million for information leading directly to Azhar’s apprehension or conviction
- Red Book listing
- Azhar appears in the FIA’s 2021 and 2026 editions at serial number 1480
- Pakistan cases
- Three Anti-Terrorism Act cases are listed in Gujranwala, Multan and Lahore
- FATF meeting
- The next plenary is scheduled for October 26–30, 2026, in Paris
- International status
- Masood Azhar is designated an international terrorist by the United Nations Security Council
- Reported reward change
- Sources differ on whether the previous reward was PKR 2 million or PKR 5 million
- Indian cases
- Azhar is wanted in connection with cases involving the 2001 Parliament attack, 2008 Mumbai attacks, 2016 Pathankot attack and 2019 Pulwama bombing
Sources
Pakistan keeps Rs 7 million reward for information on Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar
Pakistan sets ₹7 million bounty on Masood Azhar ahead of FATF review: Terrorist linked to Pathankot, Pulwama attacks
Pakistan misleads again? Islamabad raises Masood Azhar bounty to PKR 70 lakh ahead of FATF meet
Masood Azhar remains on Pakistan's most-wanted list with Rs 7 mn bounty
‘Armed and extremely dangerous’: Pakistan puts Rs 70 lakh bounty on terrorist Masood Azhar ahead of FATF test
‘Ostensible crackdown’: Pakistan announces PKR 70 lakh bounty on Masood Azhar ahead of FATF plenary
