Controversy Erupts in Pakistan Over Terrorists at Funeral of Shoaib Akhtar's Brother

A recent incident in Pakistan has stirred controversy as members of the terrorist organization Lashkar-e-Taiba, including deputy chief Saifullah Kasuri, attended the funeral of Shahid Akhtar, brother of former cricketer Shoaib Akhtar. The presence of these individuals has reignited debates about the visibility of banned militant groups in the country. Videos from the funeral have gone viral, prompting discussions on social media and among security experts. This situation highlights ongoing concerns regarding terrorism in Pakistan, particularly in light of Kasuri's history of making inflammatory statements against India. As the situation unfolds, Shoaib Akhtar has yet to respond publicly.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 27, 2026, 17:22 IST

Terrorists Attend Funeral, Sparking Outrage

A new controversy has emerged in Pakistan as members of the terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), including their deputy chief Saifullah Kasuri, were spotted at the funeral of Shahid Akhtar, the brother of former Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Akhtar. Shahid Akhtar passed away on June 24 and was interred at the H-8 graveyard in Islamabad. Viral videos from the funeral show Kasuri and other LeT affiliates attending the prayers.

Reports indicate that the footage was released by the Pakistan Markazi Muslim League (PMML), a political entity linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba. Among the attendees were PMML Islamabad President Inam-ur-Rehman Kamboh, Deputy General Secretary Abdullah Toor, Zonal General Secretary Hafiz Umar, and Khidmat Committee President Amjad Bhatti, among others. The PMML was established by Hafiz Saeed, a UN-designated terrorist, after previous organizations he led faced sanctions.

The attendance of these individuals at the funeral has reignited discussions on social media and among security analysts regarding the ongoing presence of those connected to Lashkar-e-Taiba in Pakistan. This incident has once again highlighted the activities of groups associated with banned militant organizations. As of now, Shoaib Akhtar has not publicly commented on the situation.

Profile of Saifullah Kasuri, Deputy Chief of LeT

Saifullah Kasuri, who serves as the deputy chief of Lashkar-e-Taiba, has frequently made headlines for his incendiary remarks against India. He has been linked to provocative speeches following the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam in April, which resulted in the deaths of 25 tourists.

In response to the Pahalgam attack, India initiated 'Operation Sindoor', targeting terrorist infrastructure within Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. This operation reportedly dismantled several terror facilities, including the headquarters of Lashkar-e-Taiba in Muridke, and struck military sites from Rawalpindi to Sukkur. The operation significantly hampered the operations of Lashkar-e-Taiba and other terror groups based in Pakistan.

Since then, Kasuri has continued to issue threats against India, including warnings of potential Mumbai-style attacks via maritime routes. Earlier this year, he threatened India in a video, asserting that there would be no refuge for the 'enemy' on land, air, or sea. He also accused India of engaging in 'water terrorism', referring to New Delhi's suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty following the Pahalgam attack.