26/11 Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed’s close associates and LeT terrorists attend Shoaib Akhtar’s brother’s funeral

LeT terrorist attend Shoaib akhtar's brother's funeral in Pakistan

The funeral of former Pakistani fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar’s elder brother, Shahid Akhtar, in Islamabad has sparked fresh controversy after several senior leaders of the Pakistan Markazi Muslim League (PMML), widely regarded as the political front of the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), were seen in attendance.

A video released by the PMML showed multiple leaders, including close associates of 26/11 Mumbai terror attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed, offering prayers during the funeral. Among those present were PMML Islamabad chief Inam-ur-Rehman Kamboh, deputy general secretary Abdullah Toor, zonal general secretary Hafiz Umar, Khidmat Committee chairman Amjad Bhatti, and other party functionaries.

The attendees were seen standing in a queue to offer funeral prayers for Shahid Akhtar, who reportedly passed away three days earlier following a cardiac arrest.

Confirming his brother’s death, Shoaib Akhtar had posted on social media, “I’m very saddened to share that my beloved older brother, Shahid Akhtar, has returned to Allah Subhana wa Taala. Namaz-e-Janaza time & place will be informed in the morning.”

The former cricketer has not commented on the presence of PMML leaders at the funeral.

The episode has once again drawn attention to Pakistan’s long-standing allegations of providing space to terror-linked organisations. India has repeatedly accused Islamabad of allowing groups such as Lashkar-e-Taiba and their affiliates to operate with impunity, despite international pressure to dismantle terrorist infrastructure. The public presence of figures linked to LeT at a high-profile funeral is likely to further intensify those concerns.

Written by OpIndia Staff
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