Archive · 25 Sep 2026
Shehbaz Sharif Avoids Hafiz Saeed Questions at UNGA
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited the United Nations headquarters.
Reporters asked him about Hafiz Saeed, a leader associated with Lashkar-e-Taiba.
They asked when Pakistan would stop harbouring terrorists and prosecute Saeed.
Sharif did not answer and walked away.
India says Saeed is wanted in the 2008 Mumbai terror attack case.
India’s investigation agency has also accused him of involvement in a wider conspiracy linked to the 2025 Pahalgam attack.
The agency named him Accused No.
8 in a supplementary chargesheet.
A day earlier, Indian diplomat Kshitij Tyagi criticized Pakistan at a United Nations session.
Pakistan’s response to these specific remarks was not provided in the reports.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif declined to answer reporters’ questions about Hafiz Saeed at the United Nations headquarters.
Reporters asked Sharif when Pakistan would stop harbouring terrorists and when it would prosecute the Lashkar-e-Taiba chief.
Hafiz Muhammad Saeed is designated under India’s Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and is wanted as an accused in the 26/11 Mumbai attack case.
India’s National Investigation Agency named Saeed as Accused No. 8 in a supplementary chargesheet concerning the alleged conspiracy behind the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam attack.
A day earlier, Indian diplomat Kshitij Tyagi accused Pakistan of sponsoring cross-border terrorism and mishandling domestic crises, including conditions in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
- Who
- Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Hafiz Muhammad Saeed, Indian diplomat Kshitij Tyagi, and reporters.
- What
- Sharif declined to answer questions about prosecuting Saeed and allegations that Pakistan harbours terrorists.
- When
- Thursday; Tyagi’s related remarks were made the previous day.
- Where
- The United Nations headquarters in New York; related remarks were delivered at a United Nations Human Rights Council session.
- Why
- Reporters sought answers about Saeed’s alleged terrorism links and Pakistan’s alleged support for cross-border terrorism.
Indian allegations and criticism
Reported Pakistani response
Saeed’s prosecution
Indian allegations and criticism
Reporters pressed Sharif to explain when Pakistan would prosecute Saeed, whom India designates as a terrorist and accuses in the Mumbai and Pahalgam cases.
Reported Pakistani response
Sharif did not answer the questions, so the reports provide no substantive Pakistani response on Saeed’s prosecution.
Support for terrorism
Indian allegations and criticism
Indian diplomat Kshitij Tyagi accused Pakistan of harbouring terrorists, sponsoring cross-border terrorism, and pursuing territorial ambitions.
Reported Pakistani response
The reports do not include a Pakistani response to Tyagi’s accusations; they say Sharif declined the reporters’ questions.
Domestic governance
Indian allegations and criticism
Tyagi cited civilian deaths, arrests, protests, and restrictions on food, fuel, and medicine in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and other areas.
Reported Pakistani response
The provided reports contain no Pakistani statement addressing these specific claims.
- Pakistani official
- Shehbaz Sharif, Prime Minister of Pakistan
- Questioned individual
- Hafiz Muhammad Saeed, founder of Lashkar-e-Taiba
- Questions asked
- Reporters asked when Pakistan would stop harbouring terrorists and prosecute Saeed.
- Indian designation
- Saeed is designated as a terrorist under India’s Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.
- Mumbai case
- Saeed is wanted as an accused in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack case.
- Pahalgam allegation
- The National Investigation Agency named Saeed as Accused No. 8 in a supplementary chargesheet concerning the alleged conspiracy behind the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam attack.
- United Nations setting
- The encounter occurred during Sharif’s visit to the United Nations headquarters for the 81st United Nations General Assembly.
Sources
‘When Will You Prosecute Hafiz Saeed?’: Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif Dodges LeT Chief Question At UNGA 2026 | Watch
Video: Reporter Questions Pak PM Shehbaz Sharif About Hafiz Saeed At UN, He Walks Away
Pak PM evades questions over Haifz Saeed, LeT at UN