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In Nov 2021, Pakistan designated Mr. Masood Khan as an ambassador to the United States. However the State Department blocked his appointment till now. Here are some of the alarming facts that are concerning to the United States interests in global peace, anti-terrorism and its relations with strategic partners like India.
Mr. Masood Khan has repeatedly demonstrated a soft spot for Jihadi-terrorists, including Aafia Siddiqui, a convicted terrorist operative known as “Lady Al-Qaeda.” His support to designated terrorist organizations under U.S. law, such as like Hizbul Mujahideen, Harkat-ul-Mujahideen (HuM), and Jamaat-e-Islami, is not only inimical to US Interests but also to global peace. His diplomatic role in the United States may open an avenue for access for terrorist organizations to U.S. institutions. Furthermore, his former active role as President of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir, a territory of India that is illegally occupied by Pakistan, would complicate US relations with its strategic partner India. His support to the Taliban would further further adversely affect US interests in Afghanistan.
The following are some specifics of his support to Jihadi-terrorists and US-designated terrorist organizations:
- Mr. Masood Khan is a supporter of Aafia Siddiqui, “the lady AI-Qaeda,” and had tweeted on 7th May 2020 as “@AmbassadorJones: The US Government can find a way to free Aafia Siddiqui. Washington has negotiated a peace deal with the Taliban, once considered inveterate enemies. Room must now be created for Aafia’s freedom. Long overdue.”
- In 2019, Mr. Khan shared a stage with Fazlur Rehman Khalil, designated global terrorist and founder of Harkat-ul-Mujahideen (HuM), designated as a terrorist organization under US law.
- Mr. Masood Khan is also a supporter of Jamaat-e-Islami, whose killing squads helped the Pakistani military carry out acts of genocide against Bangladeshis in 1971 when hundreds of thousands of minorities were raped, killed and millions were displaced.
- On the fifth death anniversary of dreaded terrorist Burhan Wani, a former commander of Hizbul Mujahideen – a designated terrorist organization under US law, Mr. Khan had called out Burhan Wani as a “role model for the freedom fighters across the globe.”
- Mr. Masood Khan served as president of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK) until 25th August 2021. Human Rights Watch reports that the Pakistani government represses democratic freedoms, muzzles the press and practices routine torture in the POK. During his rule, various official press releases published by Khan’s presidential office included support and praise for terrorists such as Junaid Sehrai and Tariq Ahmed Hizbul. Mr. Khan said they are martyrs and called their terrorist acts as sacrifices. His firm support of terrorists and separatists in Kashmir will create uneasiness and unwarranted complications in US-India relations when the US may need India’s active involvement in the India Pacific region, Afghanistan, and Eurasia.
