Pakistan’s government is reportedly considering a Rs 14 crore compensation package that could potentially benefit Masood Azhar, a UN-designated terrorist and leader of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), following the deaths of 14 individuals in Indian airstrikes on May 7, 2025.
The airstrikes, part of India’s Operation Sindoor, targeted alleged terror camps in Bahawalpur, a city known as a JeM operational hub. The proposed compensation and plans to rebuild destroyed structures have raised questions about Pakistan’s intentions, though details remain unconfirmed.
According to a report by The Tribune India, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced a relief package offering Rs 1 crore per deceased individual to the legal heirs of those killed in the airstrikes.
A statement attributed to Azhar, circulated in Pakistani media, claims the deceased included his elder sister, her husband, a nephew and his wife, a niece, and five children from his extended family. If Azhar is deemed the sole legal heir, he could theoretically receive the full Rs 14 crore, though no official confirmation has verified this scenario.
The authenticity of Azhar’s statement remains unverified, and Pakistan’s government has not publicly confirmed targeting the compensation at Azhar.The Indian airstrikes, codenamed Operation Sindoor, were launched in response to a terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22, 2025, which killed 26 people.
India’s defense officials assert that the strikes were precise, targeting only terror infrastructure, such as JeM’s headquarters at Jamia Masjid Subhan Allah in Bahawalpur, and avoided civilian areas. However, Pakistani authorities have claimed civilian casualties, with some reports suggesting up to 31 deaths, though these figures are disputed.
The compensation announcement has led to speculation that Pakistan may be indirectly supporting terrorism, but it could also reflect a broader humanitarian relief effort for all affected families, not specifically Azhar’s.Sharif’s administration has also pledged to rebuild homes destroyed in the strikes, a move that has drawn scrutiny.
Indian officials argue that the targeted sites were terror-related, raising concerns that reconstructed buildings could be repurposed for militant activities. Yet, without evidence linking the destroyed structures to terrorism, the rebuilding plan may simply aim to address civilian losses. Pakistan has not clarified whether the compensation and reconstruction are exclusively for terror-linked individuals or part of a general aid package.
The reports have stirred debate, with some viewing Pakistan’s actions as evidence of leniency toward terrorism, while others caution against premature conclusions without verified details.
The lack of transparency from Pakistan’s government and the unconfirmed nature of Azhar’s reported statement underscore the need for further investigation.
As India-Pakistan tensions persist, the international community is closely monitoring whether these funds and rebuilding efforts will influence counter-terrorism efforts or regional stability.