Shehbaz Sharif Faces Hafiz Saeed Questions at UN, Declines to Respond

By Thetripurapost Desk, New York
Sep 25, 2026
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Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif faced repeated questions from journalists over Hafiz Saeed and terrorism during his visit to the United Nations headquarters in New York, but declined to give an answer.

The incident occurred during the 81st United Nations General Assembly, where reporters questioned the Pakistani prime minister about Islamabad's alleged links to terrorist groups and asked when Pakistan would take action against Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) founder Hafiz Saeed.

Sharif did not respond to the questions as he entered the UN premises. Journalists raised the issue again when he left, asking specifically about the prosecution of Saeed. The Pakistani prime minister again chose not to comment.

Shehbaz Sharif Questioned Over Hafiz Saeed

The exchange placed the issue of Hafiz Saeed and Pakistan's alleged support for terrorism in the spotlight during a major international diplomatic gathering.

Reporters directly questioned Sharif about allegations that Pakistan provides shelter to terrorists and pressed him on whether his government would prosecute Saeed.

The prime minister did not offer a public response during either interaction. Video of the exchange was also reported by several news organisations covering his UN visit.

Who Is Hafiz Saeed?

Hafiz Muhammad Saeed is a founder of Lashkar-e-Taiba, a Pakistan-based militant organisation designated as a terrorist organisation by India.

India has also designated Saeed as an individual terrorist under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). His name appears on the Ministry of Home Affairs' list of designated individual terrorists.

Saeed has been associated with investigations into the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, and Indian agencies have repeatedly identified him in connection with terrorism-related cases.

NIA Names Hafiz Saeed in Pahalgam Terror Attack Chargesheet

The Hafiz Saeed controversy gained another dimension after the National Investigation Agency (NIA) named him in a supplementary chargesheet connected with the April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack case.

In an official statement, the NIA identified Saeed as a Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba/TRF figure and said he had been named in its investigation into the attack.

The development has kept Saeed at the centre of India's investigation into the wider conspiracy surrounding the Pahalgam attack.

Official NIA reference: National Investigation Agency – Hafiz Saeed Pahalgam Chargesheet

India Raises Terrorism and Human Rights Issues Against Pakistan

The exchange involving Sharif came amid a wider diplomatic confrontation between India and Pakistan at international forums.

India has repeatedly accused Pakistan of supporting cross-border terrorism and has rejected Islamabad's allegations concerning Jammu and Kashmir.

During India's response at the UN Human Rights Council, Indian diplomat Kshitij Tyagi also highlighted issues concerning terrorism, Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir and the treatment of minorities in Pakistan.

India has argued that Pakistan should address its own human rights and security concerns rather than focus its criticism exclusively on India.

India Highlights Minority Concerns in Pakistan

India has also raised concerns over the position of religious minorities in Pakistan, including Hindus, Sikhs and Christians.

Indian representatives have referred to allegations involving forced conversions and marriages, blasphemy-related cases and discrimination against various minority communities.

New Delhi has consistently maintained that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India and has called on Pakistan to vacate territories under its control.

Lashkar-e-Taiba and Its Role in the Kashmir Conflict

Lashkar-e-Taiba emerged in Pakistan during the late 1980s, in the period surrounding the Soviet-Afghan War.

The organisation developed from the network associated with Markaz-ud-Dawa-wal-Irshad, and its militant activities later became closely associated with Jammu and Kashmir.

Following the Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan, the group's operational focus increasingly shifted towards Jammu and Kashmir.

India and several other countries have for years accused Pakistan-based networks of supporting militant activities against India. Pakistan has denied allegations that its state institutions support terrorism.

The Indian Ministry of Home Affairs lists Lashkar-e-Taiba/Pasban-E-Ahle Hadis/The Resistance Front and its manifestations and front organisations among designated terrorist organisations under the UAPA framework.

Hafiz Saeed Remains a Key Figure in India's Terror Investigations

With Saeed now named by the NIA in the Pahalgam terror attack investigation, his name continues to feature prominently in India's counter-terrorism cases involving Pakistan-based militant networks.

The latest UN episode has therefore brought renewed attention to the long-running dispute between India and Pakistan over terrorism, Hafiz Saeed, Lashkar-e-Taiba and cross-border militancy.

For Pakistan, questions surrounding Saeed remain part of a broader international debate over terrorism and accountability. India, meanwhile, continues to cite the activities of Pakistan-based militant organisations as a major security concern.

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