Lashkar-e-Taiba deputy chief Saifullah Kasuri spotted at Shoaib Akhtar's brother's funeral in Islamabad
Synopsis
Viral videos from the funeral of Shoaib Akhtar's brother in Islamabad show Lashkar-e-Taiba deputy chief Saifullah Kasuri and PMML president Inam Ur Rehman in attendance — a stark illustration of how openly proscribed terror figures continue to operate in Pakistan's public life, weeks after Operation Sindoor targeted LeT's headquarters in Muridke.
Key Takeaways
Lashkar-e-Taiba deputy chief Saifullah Kasuri was seen at the funeral of Shahid Akhtar — elder brother of cricketer Shoaib Akhtar — at H-8 graveyard, Islamabad on 24 June 2025 .
PMML president Inam Ur Rehman , whose party is widely regarded as Lashkar-e-Taiba's political front, was also present at the funeral prayers.
Kasuri has made repeated anti-India threats, including warnings of a Mumbai-style sea-route attack , after the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 25 tourists .
India launched Operation Sindoor in response to the Pahalgam attack, reportedly destroying Lashkar-e-Taiba's Muridke headquarters and striking installations from Rawalpindi to Sukkur .
Analysts say the incident highlights the continued operational visibility of banned terror groups within Pakistan's social and political landscape.
Senior functionaries of the Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), including its deputy chief Saifullah Kasuri, were seen attending the funeral of Shahid Akhtar — elder brother of former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar — in Islamabad on 24 June 2025. Videos from the ceremony went viral on social media, reigniting concerns about the open visibility of members of proscribed terror organisations in Pakistan.
What the Videos Show
Shahid Akhtar was laid to rest at the H-8 graveyard in Islamabad. Footage circulating online shows Kasuri and several individuals linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba present at the funeral prayers. Also spotted at the ceremony was Inam Ur Rehman, president of the Pakistan Markazi Muslim League (PMML) — widely regarded as the political front of Lashkar-e-Taiba.
The PMML was established by UN-designated terrorist Hafiz Saeed after his earlier outfits — Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) and the Milli Muslim League (MML) — were subjected to international and domestic sanctions. The public appearance of these figures at a high-profile social event has drawn sharp attention from security analysts.
Who Is Saifullah Kasuri
Saifullah Kasuri, the deputy chief of Lashkar-e-Taiba, has a documented record of making inflammatory anti-India statements. He drew particular attention following the April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed the lives of 25 tourists, after which he issued a series of provocative threats.
In a video that surfaced in February 2025, Kasuri openly threatened India, warning there would be no space left for the 'enemy' on land, air, or sea. He also accused India of pursuing 'water terrorism' — an apparent reference to New Delhi's decision to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty — and warned that increased pressure in Kashmir would be met with unrest elsewhere. More recently, he has reportedly threatened another Mumbai-style terror strike through the sea route.
Context: Operation Sindoor and Its Aftermath
Following the Pahalgam attack, India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty and launched Operation Sindoor, targeting terrorist infrastructure across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The operation reportedly destroyed several terror facilities, including Lashkar-e-Taiba's headquarters in Muridke, and struck military installations from Rawalpindi to Sukkur.
Despite the significant disruption to Lashkar-e-Taiba's operations, Kasuri has continued issuing threats against India in the weeks since. Analysts say the funeral episode underscores the continued operational space available to banned terror groups and their entrenched influence within Pakistan's political and social landscape.
Shoaib Akhtar's Background
Shoaib Akhtar, who retired from international cricket in 2011, remains one of Pakistan's most recognisable sporting figures. He continues to work as a cricket commentator for various international tournaments. There is no suggestion in available reports that he had any knowledge of or connection to the presence of the terror-linked individuals at his brother's funeral.
Point of View
Which India said dismantled LeT's Muridke headquarters. Kasuri's continued public appearances and threat-making suggest that structural disruption of the outfit remains incomplete. The mainstream coverage of this story focuses on the celebrity angle — Shoaib Akhtar's family — but the more consequential detail is the PMML's presence, which illustrates how banned outfits have institutionalised themselves through political proxies that face far less scrutiny.
NationPress
27 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was seen at Shoaib Akhtar's brother's funeral in Islamabad?
Lashkar-e-Taiba deputy chief Saifullah Kasuri and PMML president Inam Ur Rehman were seen attending the funeral of Shahid Akhtar at the H-8 graveyard in Islamabad on 24 June 2025. Videos of their presence at the funeral prayers went viral on social media.
What is the PMML and its connection to Lashkar-e-Taiba?
The Pakistan Markazi Muslim League (PMML) is widely regarded as the political front of Lashkar-e-Taiba. It was established by UN-designated terrorist Hafiz Saeed after his earlier organisations — Jamaat-ud-Dawa and the Milli Muslim League — faced international and domestic sanctions.
What threats has Saifullah Kasuri made against India?
Kasuri has repeatedly issued anti-India statements, including warnings of a Mumbai-style terror strike via the sea route. In a video from February 2025, he threatened that there would be no space for the 'enemy' on land, air, or sea, and accused India of 'water terrorism' following the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty.
What was Operation Sindoor?
Operation Sindoor was a military operation launched by India in response to the April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 25 tourists. It reportedly targeted terrorist infrastructure across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, including Lashkar-e-Taiba's headquarters in Muridke, and struck military installations from Rawalpindi to Sukkur.
Is Shoaib Akhtar linked to the terror-connected individuals at the funeral?
There is no suggestion in available reports that Shoaib Akhtar had any knowledge of or connection to the presence of terror-linked individuals at his brother Shahid Akhtar's funeral. Shoaib Akhtar retired from international cricket in 2011 and currently works as a cricket commentator.
