'Epicentre of Takfirism': Asaduddin Owaisi in Algeria slams Pakistan for sharing ideology of terror groups

AIMIM chief and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi , in Alegiria on Saturday, described Pakistan as the “epicentre of Takfirism,” a term often used for radical ideologies that label others as non-believers. Owaisi is member of an Indian all-party delegation visiting the North African country as part of Operation Sindoor.

Addressing Algerian media, think tanks, and the Indian diaspora, Owaisi said there was no real ideological difference between Pakistan-based terror outfits and global extremist groups like Daesh (ISIS) and Al-Qaeda. “They wrongly believe they have religious sanction. Islam does not allow the killing of any person,” he said.

#WATCH | Algiers, Algeria | AIMIM chief and MP Asaduddin Owaisi says, "...Pakistan is the epicentre of Takfirism and there is no difference in ideology between the terrorist groups in Pakistan and Daesh and Al-Qaeda. They believe that they have a religious sanction, which is… pic.twitter.com/yXkNSkk4Qd

— ANI (@ANI) May 31, 2025

Owaisi also called on international institutions to put Pakistan back on the FATF Grey list , pointing to past evidence that such action reduced terrorist activity. "Once you bring Pakistan back in the Grey list (of FATF), we will see a decrease in terrorism in India. We'll see killings coming down," he said, referring to Pakistan's speeded-up trial of terrorist Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi when Pakistan was put on the Grey list.

The AIMIM leader further warned that ignoring Pakistan's role in terrorism could have wider consequences. "It's not only a question of South Asia. We are the 4th largest economy. What will happen? Do you want all this carnage to spread to different parts of South Asia? No. It is in the interest of world peace to control Pakistan, which is the main sponsor of terrorism," he said.

BJP MP Baijayant Panda, who leads the delegation, echoed these concerns. He accused Pakistan of using its nuclear capability to shield terrorists. "Pakistan has used its nuclear power to shield its terrorist training, funding, and arming program. When I say that they have been doing this with terrorists openly, it is not just me saying it. You can look it up on the internet. Everybody knows Pakistan has done this many times in the past."

The delegation also included MPs Nishikant Dubey, S Phangnon Konyak, Rekha Sharma, Satnam Singh Sandhu, Ghulam Nabi Azad, and former foreign secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla. The visit is part of India’s broader outreach to highlight its stance against terrorism and strengthen East and Southeast Asian international partnerships.