Watch: Shoaib Akhtar faces controversy after alleged LeT-linked individuals attend brother's funeral
Shoaib Akhtar faces controversy after alleged LeT-linked individuals were reportedly seen at his brother Shahid Akhtar's funeral. Watch the video and read the complete news here.
Former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar has found himself at the centre of controversy after alleged individuals linked to the banned terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) were reportedly seen attending his brother’s funeral in Islamabad. His elder brother, Shahid Akhtar, passed away on June 24 after a prolonged illness.
Funeral prayers were held at the H-8 graveyard, where family members, friends, former cricketers, and several public figures gathered to pay their last respects. Shoaib Akhtar was also present at the ceremony and had earlier confirmed the news of his brother’s death on social media.
The controversy began after a viral video showed individuals reportedly linked to LeT at the funeral. Among them was Saifullah Kasuri, identified as the deputy chief of Lashkar-e-Taiba, who is known for making anti-India remarks. Reports also mentioned the presence of Inam-ur-Rehman, president of the Pakistan Markazi Muslim League (PMML), which is said to be the political front of LeT.
The video has since gone viral on social media, leading to strong reactions and raising questions about the people seen at the gathering.
Watch the controversial video here.
Who are the LeT-linked individuals spotted at Shahid Akhtar's funeral? Viral video breaks down'
According to a viral video, several individuals linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) were seen attending the funeral of Shahid Akhtar at the H-8 graveyard in Islamabad. The list reportedly includes Saifullah Kasuri, who is identified as a senior LeT figure. The group is said to have links with past terror attacks, including the 26/11 Mumbai attacks and the Pahalgam incident. Another person seen at the event was Inam-ur-Rehman, president of the Pakistan Markazi Muslim League (PMML), which is described as the political front of LeT.
Reports further state that the PMML was formed as a political front associated with networks linked to Hafiz Saeed, who is designated as a global terrorist by the United Nations. The organisation is said to have connections with banned outfits such as Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) and Milli Muslim League (MML), and it also participated in Pakistan’s 2024 elections.
The presence of such individuals at a public funeral has sparked strong reactions online and raised questions about the influence of banned groups in Pakistan. Shoaib Akhtar, who retired from cricket in 2011, remains active as a commentator and has also worked with the IPL.
What is PMML — The terror-linked group that showed up at a Pakistan Cricket legend's family funeral?
The Pakistan Markazi Muslim League (PMML) is a political party in Pakistan that is widely described as the political front of the banned militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), which is linked to the 2008 Mumbai attacks. It is often seen as an attempt to bring extremist-linked networks into mainstream politics under a legal structure. The group is associated with Jamat-ud-Dawa (JuD) and its leader, Hafiz Saeed.
PMML was earlier launched as the Milli Muslim League (MML) in 2017 and later restructured and registered with Pakistan’s Election Commission before the 2024 general elections. It contested seats across different provinces, including Punjab and Sindh. The United States Department of State has described PMML as a front for LeT and has linked its leaders, including Saifullah Kasuri, to militant activity.
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Over the years, several reports have also linked individuals associated with PMML to past terror-related incidents and investigations. Some leaders have been accused in international reports of maintaining connections with LeT-linked operations, while the group itself continues to operate within Pakistan’s political framework.
Shoaib Akhtar has no known ties to LeT, yet his silence after the viral funeral video is drawing mixed reactions online
There is currently no evidence to suggest that Shoaib Akhtar has any connection with Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) or any other banned organisation. There is also no indication that he personally invited the individuals who were reportedly seen at his brother Shahid Akhtar's funeral. The controversy is limited to the reported presence of people alleged to have links with the group at the public funeral.
So far, neither Shoaib Akhtar nor his representatives have issued a statement on the matter. His silence has sparked mixed reactions on social media. While some users have called for an explanation, others have pointed out that public funerals in Pakistan are often attended by a large number of people, making it difficult for grieving families to control who chooses to attend.
The incident has attracted widespread attention because of the current political climate in the region. However, as of now, no official agency has linked Shoaib Akhtar to any banned organisation. The focus of the controversy remains on the reported attendance of individuals alleged to have extremist links at his brother's funeral.
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Sports run in my veins and stories fuel my pen. With over 3 years in journalism — including stints at Sportskeeda, Cricreads, and Athlete Fortune — I’ve lived every word I’ve written. A Madrista at heart and a CR7 devotee, I fell in love with cricket because of one man — Virat Kohli. His passion for the game taught me to see cricket beyond the numbers. Currently writing for Cricket Winner, I cover match analyses, player stories, stats-based features, and cricket news updates. When I’m not writing, you’ll find me glued to tennis courts or boxing rings, living the sport from every angle.
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