Punjab Assembly Speaker Supports Controversial LeT Deputy Chief
Malik Ahmed Khan, the Speaker of Pakistan’s Punjab Assembly and a close aide of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, openly expressed support for Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) deputy chief Saifullah Kasuri during a rally held in Kasur on May 28, 2025. Kasuri is implicated as a key figure behind the Pahalgam terror attack, which reportedly had cross-border links.
Rally Highlights and Key Participants
The rally witnessed the attendance of prominent LeT figures, including Talha Saeed, son of LeT founder Hafiz Saeed. Video footage showed Kasuri arriving with armed guards wielding American M4 rifles and being welcomed by the crowd with flower petals and accolades, including being hailed as the “conqueror” of India.
Claims of Role in Bangladesh Political Upheaval
Kasuri publicly asserted that the LeT played a part in protests against former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, ultimately forcing her to seek refuge in India. Alongside US-designated terrorist Muzammil Hashmi, Kasuri claimed credit for orchestrating a “coup” in Bangladesh, marking this as an avengement of Pakistan’s 1971 defeat and consequent partition.
Defense from Punjab Assembly Speaker
When questioned by reporters about endorsing Kasuri and other alleged terrorists at the event, Malik Ahmed Khan defended their presence, emphasizing that Kasuri’s involvement in the Pahalgam attack should be subject to a proper investigation before judgment. This stance has intensified concerns over Pakistan’s perceived tolerance and possible support for militant activities directed at neighboring countries.
Rhetoric Targeting Indian Leadership
The rally also featured vitriolic speeches targeting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Muzammil Hashmi declared, “Modi, you scare us with your bullets. Our children didn’t fear your missiles, so why would we fear your bullets?” These inflammatory comments underscore the ongoing heightened tensions and hardened rhetoric along the India-Pakistan border.
Context and Implications
Pakistan has long been accused of utilizing terrorist organizations as instruments of its foreign policy, particularly against India. The Pahalgam attack, which is linked with Saifullah Kasuri, serves as a stark reminder of ongoing security challenges in the region. Kasuri’s unabashed presence on stage and open declarations of involvement in regional instability underscore persistent concerns over the nurturing and public legitimization of militant elements within Pakistan’s political framework.
- Event Date: May 28, 2025
- Location: Kasur, Pakistan
- Key Figures: Malik Ahmed Khan, Saifullah Kasuri, Talha Saeed, Muzammil Hashmi
- Key Issues: Support for LeT militants, claims of political coups in Bangladesh, anti-India rhetoric
This development is likely to fuel regional tensions and complicate diplomatic efforts aimed at peace and counterterrorism cooperation in South Asia.
