Islamabad: A controversy has erupted in Pakistan after several individuals reportedly linked to the banned terrorist organization Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) were seen attending the funeral of former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar’s elder brother, Shahid Akhtar.
According to reports, Shahid Akhtar passed away due to a cardiac arrest on June 24. His funeral prayers were held at the H-8 Graveyard in Islamabad, where family members, relatives, and several prominent personalities gathered to pay their last respects. Shoaib Akhtar had earlier announced his brother’s demise through a social media post.
The controversy began after videos and photographs from the funeral surfaced online, allegedly showing leaders associated with the Pakistan Markazi Muslim League (PMML), an organization widely regarded as the political front of the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba, attending the funeral.
The footage has triggered widespread debate on social media and in international media, with critics raising fresh concerns over the continued public presence and influence of individuals linked to proscribed organizations in Pakistan.
So far, Shoaib Akhtar and his family have not issued any official statement regarding the presence of the individuals seen in the viral videos.
It also remains unclear whether those individuals attended the funeral at the invitation of the family or arrived on their own. However, the incident has reignited discussions over Pakistan’s handling of banned extremist organizations and their alleged networks.