Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was questioned about Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) founder Hafiz Muhammad Saeed and allegations of terrorist recruitments in Pakistan during his visit to the United Nations headquarters in New York. Sharif did not respond when an ANI reporter asked him about it in the meeting at the UN headquarters and again when he left.
The exchange took place during Sharif's visit to New York for the 81st United Nations General Assembly. When the Pakistani Prime Minister entered the UN headquarters, he was asked, “Prime Minister, when will you stop harbouring terrorists?” Sharif did not answer.
Later, as Sharif left the UN headquarters, the reporter asked him again when Pakistan would prosecute Lashkar-e-Taiba chief Hafiz Saeed. Sharif had no response. The conversation was recorded on camera and happened as allegations of Pakistan-based terror groups and their leadership were back in the news and media.
Hafiz Saeed named in Pahalgam Terror case.
Hafiz Muhammad Saeed is a UN-designated terrorist and the founder of the proscribed Lashkar-e-Taiba. He is a Pakistani national from Sargodha in Punjab province and is also designated as a terrorist under India's Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.
Saeed is wanted in connection with the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. Indian authorities have also linked him to other investigations of alleged terrorist activities.
More recently, the National Investigation Agency has alleged that Pakistan-based operatives of the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba were involved in the conspiracy behind the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam terror attack.
In its supplementary chargesheet in the Pahalgam terror attack case, the NIA identified Hafiz Muhammad Saeed as Accused No. 8. It has said he was involved in the larger conspiracy behind the attack. These accusations are part of the legal proceedings and are being made.
Question of Pakistan’s Alleged Terror Safe Havens.
The questions directed at Sharif came against the backdrop of India’s repeated accusations that Pakistan-based groups have been involved in cross-border terrorism. Islamabad has historically rejected India’s allegations about its involvement in terrorism.
Sharif’s silence during the exchange does not by itself establish the allegations raised by the reporter. But the incident attracted attention because it happened just hours before the Pakistani Prime Minister’s scheduled address to the UN General Assembly, where Pakistan had been expected to raise issues regarding Kashmir.
It also came at a time of increased diplomatic tensions between India and Pakistan at world forums.
#WATCH | New York, US: "Prime Minister, when will you stop harbouring terrorists?" ANI questions Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif as he enters the UN headquarters. Pakistani PM refuses to answer. pic.twitter.com/IMANrxWYb5
— ANI (@ANI) September 24, 2026
India Rebukes Pakistan at United Nations
A day before the encounter with Sharif, India criticised Pakistan at the United Nations, accusing Islamabad of pursuing territorial ambitions and cross-border terrorism instead of addressing its economic problems.
On India's right of reply at the UN Human Rights Council, Indian diplomat Kshitij Tyagi criticized Pakistan’s diversionary tactics.
Tyagi argued that Pakistan should focus on development and economic issues rather than what India termed territorial claims and support for terrorism. He also referred to Pakistan’s economic troubles and reliance on financial assistance.
India has repeatedly raised concerns about terrorism from Pakistan-based groups at international forums. Pakistan has rejected India’s accusations and frequently raises the Kashmir issue in international forums.
India raises Human Rights concerns.
During the same intervention, Tyagi also raised concerns over the situation in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. He mentioned civilian deaths, arrests and shortages of essential supplies.
Tyagi said the international community had been told about civilians allegedly killed in the territory, students arrested in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, and restrictions on food and medicine.
India has long accused Pakistan of suppressing dissent in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, while Pakistan has made its own allegations about human rights and security in Jammu and Kashmir. The competing claims are part of the larger diplomatic dispute between the two countries.
Shehbaz Sharif’s UNGA Address In Focus
Sharif's appearance at the UN headquarters comes as Pakistan prepares to present its position at the 81st United Nations General Assembly. Kashmir will be a big part of Islamabad’s diplomatic message.
The questions on Hafiz Saeed and alleged terrorist safe havens came at a politically significant moment. The Pakistani Prime Minister's refusal to respond to the questions left the allegations unaddressed during the brief exchange.
Hafiz Saeed is still a key figure in India’s accusations against Pakistan-based terrorism. His designation by the United Nations and recent allegations of involvement in cases being investigated by Indian authorities have kept his name prominent in India-Pakistan diplomatic discourse.
The recent New York incident adds another public stage to those ongoing tensions. The NIA’s allegations about the Pahalgam attack are part of the investigation and legal process at present, but it is also a reminder of ongoing diplomatic rifts between India and Pakistan on terrorism, security and Kashmir.
