Hafiz Muhammad Saeed: Shehbaz Sharif at UN

Hafiz Muhammad Saeed: Shehbaz Sharif Faces Questions at UN Over LeT Chief

Legal

Hafiz Muhammad Saeed: Shehbaz Sharif at UN

Hafiz Muhammad Saeed became the focus of questions at the UN after Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was asked when he would prosecute the Lashkar-e-Taiba chief.

Shehbaz Sharif was questioned twice about Hafiz Muhammad Saeed at the UN
The Pakistani prime minister did not respond to either question
The UN lists Saeed as an individual associated with Lashkar-e-Tayyiba and Al-Qaida
Saeed is serving a 78-year sentence in Pakistan for seven terror-financing convictions
India's NIA has named Saeed as an accused in its supplementary chargesheet in the Pahalgam terror attack case

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif refused to answer questions regarding Hafiz Muhammad Saeed while visiting the UN headquarters in New York for the 81st UN General Assembly. According to ANI, Reporters asked Sharif twice about Saeed and Pakistan’s links to terrorism, but the prime minister did not respond.

As Sharif entered the UN headquarters, a reporter asked, “Prime Minister, when will you stop harbouring terrorists?” Sharif did not answer. Later, as he left the building, another reporter asked, “When will you prosecute Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) chief Hafiz Saeed?” He again refused to answer.

Hafiz Muhammad Saeed, a UN-designated terrorist, is listed by the UN Security Council because of his affiliation with Lashkar-e-Tayyiba and Al-Qaida.

The UN states that Saeed is the leader of Lashkar-e-Tayyiba and has been in Pakistani custody since 2020. He is serving a 78-year sentence following convictions in seven terror-financing cases.

Saeed is also connected with the Mumbai terror attacks of 2008 owing to his connection with Lashkar-e-Tayyiba. UN Security Council documents have also highlighted the involvement of Lashkar-e-Tayyiba in many attacks, including the attack on Mumbai in 2008.

More recently, India’s National Investigation Agency named Saeed as an accused in a supplementary chargesheet related to the Pahalgam terror attack of April 22, 2025. Saeed was named as Accused No. 8 and was alleged to have been involved in the wider conspiracy.

The exchange at the United Nations came amid continued scrutiny of Pakistan’s handling of militant groups and the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. The questions directed at Sharif focused specifically on whether Pakistan would prosecute Saeed.

Why This Matters

The incident has brought renewed international attention to the case of a UN-designated individual and the legal proceedings involving Saeed in Pakistan. Saeed is currently serving a prison sentence in Pakistan following his terror-financing convictions, while India continues to pursue allegations against him in connection with the Pahalgam attack.

The episode also highlights the sensitivity surrounding Hafiz Muhammad Saeed’s prosecution in Pakistan and the allegations connecting him to major terror attacks.

Business Honor observes that the questions directed at Shehbaz Sharif at the UN have again brought Hafiz Muhammad Saeed and the legal proceedings surrounding the LeT founder into international focus.

Frequently Asked Questions

Hafiz Muhammad Saeed is the founder and leader of Lashkar-e-Tayyiba and is listed by the UN Security Council under its ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida sanctions regime.

Sharif was asked when Pakistan would prosecute Hafiz Saeed and was also questioned about allegations that Pakistan harbours terrorists.

No. Reports and video footage show that Sharif did not respond to either question.

Yes. The UN Security Council says Saeed has been in Pakistani custody since February 2020 and is serving a 78-year sentence following convictions in seven terror-financing cases.

Yes. India's NIA named him as Accused No. 8 in a supplementary chargesheet concerning the April 2025 Pahalgam attack and alleged his involvement in the wider conspiracy.