LeT-Linked Leaders Seen at Shoaib Akhtar's Brother's Funeral; Internet Asks Why

LeT-linked leaders attended Shoaib Akhtar's brother's funeral in Islamabad, raising questions about their presence and broader implications.

By Pranjal Gupta

New Delhi, June 26: Cricket may transcend borders, but terrorism does not. Questions have been raised after leaders linked to Pakistan's banned terrorist organisation, Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), and its political front, the Pakistan Markazi Muslim League (PMML), were seen attending the funeral of the elder brother of former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar in a purported video.

The funeral prayers for Shahid Akhtar were held at Islamabad's H-8 cemetery. Several images and videos from the ceremony have since circulated widely on social media, prompting speculation over the presence of individuals associated with organisations designated as terrorist groups.

What has drawn particular attention is that the attendance of these individuals was not concealed.  

Former Pakistan cricketer Shoaib Akhtar attends the funeral of his brother Shahid Akhtar as LeT-linked leaders are seen present. (Viral Video)

The footage, purportedly shared by the official media wings of Lashkar-e-Taiba and the PMML, shows PMML Islamabad President Inam ur Rehman Kamboh, accompanied by several senior associates and individuals linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba, attending the funeral prayers.Kamboh was also seen interacting with members of Shoaib Akhtar's family during the ceremony. The images have triggered debate among security analysts and cricket followers alike.

The PMML is widely regarded as the political front established by Hafiz Saeed, the founder of Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD), both of which have been designated as terrorist organisations by several countries and international bodies.

Their presence at the family funeral of one of Pakistan's most recognisable cricketers has renewed questions about the country's efforts to distance itself from extremist organisations and the social proximity between public figures and individuals associated with banned groups.

Why were these leaders present?

The central question emerging from the incident is why senior figures linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba attended the funeral of Shoaib Akhtar's brother. Alongside condolences sent by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and tributes from former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif, the presence of leaders associated with a banned organisation has inevitably fuelled speculation over the nature of their connection with the Akhtar family.

Some observers note that in Pakistan, prominent personalities, including cricketers, occasionally find themselves associated with local religious or political groups through community ties or social convention, and may have limited control over who attends family events. However, analysts argue that the attendance of individuals linked to an internationally designated terrorist organisation goes beyond routine social interactions and raises broader questions about the visibility and acceptance of such networks within sections of Pakistani society.

While no evidence has emerged to suggest that Shoaib Akhtar invited or endorsed the presence of these individuals, the publicly documented attendance of PMML leaders has intensified scrutiny and prompted renewed debate over Pakistan's relationship with organisations that remain internationally proscribed.