France slams sanctions on JeM chief Azhar

  1. France has imposed sanctions on Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar.It will include a freeze on his assets and will help in travel ban on Azhar and his known followers.
  2. This decision comes after China had once again blocked a UN Security Council (UNSC) move to get the Pakistan-based Azhar Masood designated as a global terrorist.The proposal was moved by France,UK and US.
  3. France will also discuss with other European countries on the proposal of putting Masood Azhar on a European Union list of terrorists and terror organizations.
  4. According to experts,France has given several messages by imposing sanctions such as (a)It conveyed political solidarity with India (b)Its intention to take a lead in counter-terrorism (c)a signal to Pakistan that it must deal firmly with jihadi organizations and (d)opposing Pakistan and China’s combined effort to protect Masood Azhar in the UNSC.