Last Update: January 20, 2023, 08:01 AM IST
Recently designated global terrorist by the UNSC, Abdul Rehman Makki, is seen in this file photo addressing a rally in Lahore (Image: AFP)
Makki, a UN, US and India-designated terrorist, said in a video released from Lahore’s Kot Lakhpat Jail that he had no links to al-Qaeda or the Islamic State.
Abdul Rehman Makki, deputy leader of Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), on Thursday released a video from Lahore’s Kot Lakhpat Jail, denying any links with al-Qaeda or the Islamic State. .
However, Makki, the mastermind of the Mumbai terror attack and brother-in-law of Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) Hafiz Saeed, did not mention the 26/11 attack in which 166 people were killed.
The UN Security Council’s 1267 ISIL (Da’esh) and Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee on Monday added 68-year-old Makki to its list of designated terrorists, subjecting him to an asset freeze, travel ban and arms embargo, after years of efforts. India and his associates.
“I believe the basis of my listing is based on heresy and misinformation by the Government of India. I have never met Osama bin Laden, Ayman al-Zawahiri or Abdullah Azzam, as alleged in some propaganda reports, Makki said.
He has been in jail since 2019 serving multiple sentences in terror finance cases along with Saeed and some other senior LeT and JuD leaders.
He said that he views the ideas and actions of al-Qaeda and ISIS as completely opposite to what he believes in.
“I condemn all forms of terrorism and violence perpetrated by such groups. I share the principal position of the Government of Pakistan with regard to Kashmir…”
He regretted the decision of the UNSC to list him without giving him a proper opportunity to respond to the allegations or to be heard.
“No due process was followed or information was provided with respect to these listings,” Makki said.
He denied allegations of being a faculty member of the Islamic University of Islamabad in the 1980s, where he was accused of meeting al-Qaeda leaders or Afghan commanders.
He said he did not study or teach at the Islamic University and had never had any contact with Abdullah Azzam, Ayman al-Zawahiri or bin Laden.
read all breaking news Here
(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed)