In Bhuj, Rajnath Singh slams IMF bailout to Pakistan; accuses nation of trying to rebuild dismantled terrorist network
PTC Web Desk: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday raised serious concerns over the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) recent financial assistance to Pakistan, warning that the $1-billion loan might indirectly support terrorist activities.
Speaking at the Bhuj Air Force base, a key military site targeted during the recent India-Pakistan confrontation, Rajnath Singh praised Indian "air warriors" for the success of Operation Sindoor, which dismantled several terror bases in Pakistan. He accused Pakistan of trying to rebuild the terror infrastructure linked to proscribed groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM)—especially in Muridke and Bahawalpur, which were targeted during the operation.
“The Pakistan government has openly announced support for rebuilding terror bases,” Rajnath Singh said. “A large portion of the IMF's bailout package is likely to go into financing these operations. Is this not a case of indirect terror funding?” he asked.
Despite India’s formal objection, the IMF approved a $1-billion tranche on May 9 under its Extended Fund Facility for Islamabad—coinciding with peak hostilities between the two nations.
Rajnath Singh further alleged that the Pakistani government planned to spend Rs 140 million from public funds on Masood Azhar, a UN-designated terrorist and founder of JeM.
The Defence Minister’s remarks came a day after Pakistani Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain visited Muridke and pledged to reconstruct the area, which was one of the nine locations bombed by Indian forces during Operation Sindoor.
Muridke serves as the stronghold of LeT, while Bahawalpur is the operational base for JeM. Both groups have been linked to deadly attacks in India, including the Pahalgam attack, which claimed 26 lives.
To further highlight the global risk posed by Pakistan’s alleged support of extremist elements, Singh referenced a poem by Bashir Badr, saying: “The clothes are made of paper, it’s a city of lamps – walk carefully, for you are intoxicated.”
He used the metaphor to underline the potential danger of Pakistan's nuclear arsenal falling into terrorist hands, urging the international community to take notice of the threat.
- With inputs from agencies
