French magazine exposes Pakistan’s ties to Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and role in terrorism

Pakistan’s dual face exposed

A detailed investigative report published by Le Spectacle du Monde, a French magazine, has uncovered alarming ties between Pakistan and the terrorist outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), drawing attention to the nation’s continued role in harboring and supporting extremist groups despite international commitments to combat terrorism.

The article, titled “Jaish-e-Mohammed, Troubled Games in Pakistan“, written by Antoine Colonna, the Editor-in-Chief of the magazine, delves into Pakistan’s involvement in enabling groups like JeM to thrive. Published in the Winter 2024 edition of the magazine, the report, translated into English using AI, outlines the group’s resurgence, particularly in the Bahawalpur area of Punjab province, where JeM reportedly operates large complexes such as Markaz Subhan Allah.

These facilities, equipped with dormitories, religious education centers, and solar-powered systems, serve as breeding grounds for terrorist indoctrination and training. According to satellite imagery and eyewitness accounts, these operations take place openly, with one such facility located just eight kilometers from a Pakistani military base.

The report reveals that JeM operates two primary centers in Bahawalpur, with the Markaz Subhan Allah covering an area of 60,000 square meters. This complex includes a Quranic studies center, sports hall, dormitories, and around fifty rooms. Managed by Muhammad Ataullah Kashif, a nephew of JeM’s founder Masood Azhar, the center trains approximately 600 to 700 members with both religious education and physical training, supported by 40 to 50 teachers.

JeM has longstanding connections to Pakistan’s intelligence agency, ISI, which allegedly facilitated its activities against India. During the 2000s, the ISI’s Joint Intelligence North (JIN) was specifically tasked with training radical Islamist elements against India. The report further notes that during the Cold War, the ISI was influenced by the structure of Iran’s Savak intelligence service, with support from the CIA and France’s SDECE, the precursor to the DGSE.

The security of these complexes has been enhanced, with satellite images showing new guard posts and solar panels that allow the centers to operate independently. The report highlights the systemic ties between Pakistan’s state apparatus and extremist networks, noting that former Pakistani officials, including ex-President Pervez Musharraf, have openly admitted to supporting JeM during their time in office.

This ongoing support for extremist groups complicates Pakistan’s standing on the international stage. While Pakistan was removed from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list in 2022, the report warns that JeM’s unchecked growth could lead to renewed scrutiny.

The article underscores the broader geopolitical implications of Pakistan’s actions, including its rising tensions with India, a fellow nuclear power. The report calls for stronger international accountability and more robust counter-terrorism measures to stabilize the region and address the threat posed by groups like JeM.

This investigative expose brings to light the urgent need for the global community to address Pakistan’s role in fostering terrorism and the potential destabilizing effects on the wider region.

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