Former Pakistan cricketer Shoaib Akhtar has found himself in the spotlight after a viral video allegedly showed senior Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) leaders attending the funeral of his elder brother, Shahid Akhtar, in Islamabad. The funeral took place on June 24 at the H-8 graveyard after Shahid Akhtar’s death.
The video has drawn attention because it reportedly shows Saifullah Kasuri, the deputy chief of Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Inam Ur Rehman, president of the Pakistan Markazi Muslim League (PMML), at the funeral. The PMML is widely regarded as the political front of the banned terror outfit.
What does the viral video show?
According to reports, several LeT leaders were seen at Shahid Akhtar’s funeral in Islamabad. Saifullah Kasuri is known for making repeated anti-India statements, while Inam Ur Rehman heads the PMML, a party reportedly created by UN-designated terrorist Hafiz Saeed after earlier organisations linked to him, including Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) and Milli Muslim League (MML), faced bans.
Who is Saifullah Kasuri?
Saifullah Kasuri is the deputy chief of Lashkar-e-Taiba and has made several inflammatory speeches against India. After the Pahalgam terror attack, videos of his speeches gained attention online.
Following the attack, India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty and launched Operation Sindoor, targeting terror camps, including the Lashkar headquarters in Muridke, as well as several military installations in Pakistan.
Why is Kasuri’s presence significant?
Kasuri has repeatedly threatened India in public speeches. In one video released earlier this year, he warned of another 26/11-style attack through the sea route and accused India of “water terrorism” after the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty.
In another widely circulated video, Kasuri claimed that the Pakistani Army regularly invited him to military events and even asked him to lead funeral prayers for soldiers. His latest public appearance has renewed debate over Pakistan’s alleged links with terror outfits and comes amid reports that groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba are attempting to rebuild after India’s military strikes.
First published on: Jun 27, 2026 02:41 PM IST
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