'Show Proof': Ishaq Dar Backs TRF Even After US Declares It Terror Group

In a controversial statement in the Pakistani Parliament, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar openly defended The Resistance Front (TRF), a Pakistan-sponsored terror outfit, despite its confirmed role in the April 22 Pahalgam attack in Jammu and Kashmir that left 26 civilians dead. TRF is widely acknowledged as a proxy of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), a Pakistan-based terror group.

Dar admitted that Pakistan had successfully blocked the mention of TRF in the United Nations Security Council's (UNSC) condemnation statement following the Pahalgam massacre. "We opposed the inclusion of TRF's name in the UNSC's response. I received calls from global capitals, but Pakistan did not relent. TRF was removed from the press note. We prevailed," Dar declared. He further demanded proof of TRF's involvement, saying, "Show us evidence. Show ownership by TRF. We don't consider TRF illegal and reject the accusations."

This statement comes even though TRF itself publicly claimed responsibility for the attack, and both Indian and U.S. intelligence agencies have confirmed its link to LeT's infrastructure. Just a day earlier, on July 18, the United States officially designated TRF as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO) and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT). The designation, announced by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, imposes financial sanctions on the group and cuts off its access to support from individuals or entities under American jurisdiction.

Rubio described the Pahalgam attack as "the deadliest assault on civilians in India since 2008," reaffirming the Trump administration's commitment to counterterrorism and justice.

India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar welcomed the U.S. move, calling it "a strong affirmation of India-U.S. counter-terrorism cooperation." He added, "Zero tolerance for terrorism."