The funeral of former Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Akhtar’s brother, Shahid Akhtar, in Islamabad has attracted attention after several individuals associated with the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) were reportedly seen attending the ceremony. Shahid Akhtar passed away on June 24, and his funeral was held at the H-8 graveyard in the Pakistani capital.
Videos circulating online appear to show a number of LeT-linked figures present at the funeral. Among those reportedly identified were Saifullah Kasuri, described as the deputy chief of Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Inam Ur Rehman, president of the Pakistan Markazi Muslim League (PMML), a political organisation widely regarded as linked to the group.
The PMML was established by UN-designated terrorist Hafiz Saeed and is viewed by many observers as a successor or political front for organisations such as Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) and the Milli Muslim League (MML), both of which have faced bans and restrictions. The PMML also participated in Pakistan’s 2024 general elections.
The reported presence of such figures at a public funeral has reignited debate over the visibility and influence of individuals associated with banned militant organisations within Pakistan. Critics argue that the incident reflects the continued ability of such figures to appear openly at public gatherings despite international concerns regarding their activities.
Shoaib Akhtar, one of Pakistan’s most prominent former cricketers, retired from international cricket in 2011 and has since remained active as a commentator and media personality. He has also appeared as a commentator in Indian Premier League (IPL) broadcasts.
Particular attention has focused on Saifullah Kasuri because of his history of anti-India rhetoric and controversial public statements. Following the Pahalgam terror attack, in which 25 tourists were killed, several videos of Kasuri making inflammatory remarks resurfaced online.
After the attack, India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty and launched Operation Sindoor, targeting terror infrastructure across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Among the sites reportedly struck were facilities linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba, including its headquarters in Muridke, as well as several military-related targets.
Subsequently, Kasuri continued to make provocative statements directed at India. In one video that surfaced earlier in the year, he allegedly warned of future attacks and asserted that India would face challenges on land, in the air, and at sea.
In other remarks, he criticised India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, describing it as “water terrorism,” and suggested that developments in Kashmir could have consequences elsewhere in the region.
Another video that circulated online appeared to show Kasuri discussing his interactions with the Pakistani military. In the footage, he claimed that military officials had invited him to attend events and lead funeral prayers for soldiers, remarks that have been cited by critics as evidence of links between militant organisations and elements within Pakistan’s security establishment.
The renewed attention on Kasuri and other Lashkar-linked figures comes amid reports and intelligence assessments suggesting that militant groups affected by India’s military operations have been attempting to regroup and rebuild their networks in recent months.
