Shehbaz Sharif Faces Hafiz Saeed Questions at UN, Walks Away Without Answer

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif faced pointed questions about terrorism and Lashkar-e-Taiba chief Hafiz Saeed during his visit to the United Nations headquarters in New York. As Sharif arrived at the UN for the 81st United Nations General Assembly, a reporter asked him when Pakistan would stop harbouring terrorists. Sharif did not respond and continued into the UN premises.

Later, as the Pakistani prime minister was leaving the headquarters, he was asked directly when Hafiz Saeed, the founder of Lashkar-e-Taiba, would be prosecuted. Sharif again declined to answer and walked away. Hafiz Saeed is a designated terrorist and the founder of Lashkar-e-Taiba, which India has cited of involvement in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. India’s National Investigation Agency has also named Saeed in connection with its investigation into the April 2025 Pahalgam attack.

The confrontation came amid renewed diplomatic exchanges between India and Pakistan at the United Nations. India has continued to cite Pakistan of supporting or harbouring terrorist groups. The episode involving Sharif occurred as both countries presented their positions on terrorism, regional security and the situation in Jammu and Kashmir before the international community.