Terrorism has a deep-rooted presence in Pakistan. The country is a safe-haven for the world’s most notorious terror networks. Infact, terrorism is a state-sponsored policy of Islamabad. However, the latest row raises serious concerns about how deep terror affiliations are spread across Pakistan beyond its strong links with Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Recently, LeT commanders and the masterminds behind the Pahalgam terror attack were seen at the funeral ceremony of Cricketer Shoaib Akhtar’s brother. This has sparked speculations about terror links to the family & how intense and multifaceted is the terror roots in Pakistan.
Pakistani fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar’s elder brother Shahid Akhtar passed away on June 24. Cricketer Shoaib Akhtar confirmed the death by posting as “Returned to Allah” on social media. He also shared the details of the funeral prayers. However, the high-profile funeral ceremony held at Islamabad has come under radar as it is attended by the terrorists of lashkar-e-Taiba(LeT) terror outfit and other masterminds behind the Pahalgam terror attack. The videos & photographs from the funeral ceremony, surfacing across social media, reflects the extent of freedom, liberty, leverage and respect enjoyed by the terrorists in Pakistan.
The videos show Saifullah Kasuri, the deputy chief of Lashkar-e-Taiba(LeT) and the mastermind of the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam terror attack attending the funeral ceremony of cricketer Shoaib Akhtar’s brother. The final rituals were witnessed by other terrorists such as Inam-ur-Rehman Kamboh, President of the Pakistan Markazi Muslim League(PMML), which is the political front of LeT. A video released by the PMML showed several other terrorists who were office-bearers of LeT attending the funeral. They included Abdullah Toor, the terror outfit’s deputy General Secretary, Hafiz Umar, PMML’s Zonal General Secretary, and Amjad Bhatti, Chairman of its Khidmat Committee.
In the video, all the terrorists are seen standing in a row and offering prayers. The PMML, as the political wing of Lashkar-e-Taiba(LeT) was formed after Pakistan banned organisations such as Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) and the Milli Muslim League (MML), both linked to UN-designated terrorist Hafiz Saeed. The party has also contested the 2024 general elections of Pakistan.
Meanwhile, Saifullah Kasuri, who was seen in the funeral ceremony of cricketer Shoaib Akthar’s brother, is the kingpin behind the April 22, 2025 Pahalgam terror attack. During the attack, The Resistance Front(TRF), a proxy of LeT killed 25 tourists in Kashmir and they were targeted solely on the basis of Dharma or for being Hindus. His appearance at a public event has renewed concerns in India about the strong presence and activities of LeT leaders in Pakistan & how they have government shelter.
Infact, in another recently circulated video, Saifullah Kasuri can be heard saying that the Pakistani Army frequently invites him to high-profile government meetings and other official events. He further asserts that the Pakistan government has requested him to lead funeral prayers of the soldiers. These statements testify the intensity of affiliation between Islamabad, Rawalpindi and world’s most notorious terror outfits. It also reflects how terrorists enjoy safe-haven & high leverage in Pakistan to brew their illicit deeds.
