‘When Will You Prosecute Hafiz Saeed?’ Pakistan PM Silent As Indian Reporter Questions Him On LeT Chief At UN

Last Updated:September 25, 2026, 09:03 IST

As Sharif arrived at the UN headquarters, news agency ANI confronted him with a direct question, “Prime Minister, when will you stop harbouring terrorists?”

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif attends the 81st UNGA, and a file image of LeT founder Hafiz Muhammad Saeed. (Source: Reuters)

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday declined to respond to questions about Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) founder Hafiz Muhammad Saeed and allegations that Pakistan harbours terrorists, during his visit to the United Nations headquarters for the 81st UN General Assembly.

As Sharif arrived at the UN headquarters, news agency ANI confronted him with a direct question, “Prime Minister, when will you stop harbouring terrorists?” The Pakistani premier did not respond and continued into the UN premises.

Sharif faced another question on Saeed while leaving the UN headquarters later in the day. Asked, “When will you prosecute Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) chief Hafiz Saeed?”, he again chose not to answer.

Who Is Hafiz Saeed?

Saeed, a Pakistan-based founder of the proscribed LeT, is designated as a terrorist under India’s Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. He is also wanted as an accused in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks case.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has also named Saeed as Accused No. 8 in its supplementary chargesheet in the April 22, 2025 Pahalgam terror attack case. The agency has alleged that Pakistan-based operatives of the banned LeT were involved in the conspiracy behind the attack.

India Rebukes Pak For Sponsoring Cross-Border Terrorism

The questions to Sharif came a day after India confronted Pakistan at the UN Human Rights Council, with Indian diplomat Kshitij Tyagi accusing Islamabad of focusing on territorial claims and terrorism instead of its domestic economic and humanitarian challenges.

Also Read: US-Pakistan Ties Under Strain? Sharif’s UNGA Outreach Hits Hurdle As Trump, Rubio Talks Remain Elusive

Responding to Pakistan during a right of reply, Tyagi said, “Pakistan would better serve its people by focusing on development, rather than by coveting territory of others or exporting terror, because neither these nor its theatrics in the Council would help repay the loans its economy survives on.”

Tyagi also referred to reports of civilian deaths, arrests and shortages of essential supplies in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, saying, “This Council was told last Friday of scores of civilians killed since June in the territory Pakistan occupies, of students arrested in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, and of food and medicine held back. When those accounts were given, Pakistan’s answer was a point of order. If any delegation in this room meets every objective criterion for this Council’s scrutiny, it is Pakistan.”

With inputs from ANI

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How did Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif react to questions about Hafiz Saeed at the UN?

During his visit to the United Nations headquarters for the 81st UN General Assembly, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif declined to respond when confronted by reporters asking when he would prosecute Lashkar-e-Taiba founder Hafiz Saeed and stop harbouring terrorists.

What are the legal charges against Hafiz Saeed in India?

Hafiz Saeed is designated as a terrorist under India’s Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act of 1967 and is wanted as an accused in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks case. He was also named as Accused No. 8 by the National Investigation Agency in a supplementary chargesheet for the April 22, 2025 Pahalgam terror attack case, which led to the issuance of a non-bailable warrant.

What did India say about Pakistan at the UN Human Rights Council?

Indian diplomat Kshitij Tyagi accused Pakistan of focusing on territorial claims and exporting terror rather than addressing its domestic economic and humanitarian challenges. Tyagi also highlighted reports of civilian deaths, arrests, and shortages of essential supplies in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

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Prisha Vibhavari

Prisha is the Chief Sub-Editor at News18.com, with more than 10 years of experience in national and international news. She specialises in editorial leadership, sharp news judgment, and high-impact st…Read More

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