Watch: Pakistan PM runs away from questions on Hafeez Saeed at UN

Pakistani PM Shehbaz Sharif

Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday declined to answer questions from reporters about Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) founder Hafiz Saeed during his visit to the United Nations headquarters for the 81st UN General Assembly.As Sharif entered the UN headquarters, reporters asked him, “Prime Minister, when will you stop harbouring terrorists?” Sharif did not respond.

Later, as he left the premises, he was again asked when Pakistan would prosecute Saeed, but the prime minister once again declined to answer.

Hafiz Saeed named in terror cases

Hafiz Muhammad Saeed, founder of the proscribed LeT, is a designated terrorist under India's Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and is wanted as an accused in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack case.The National Investigation Agency has also named Saeed as an accused in its supplementary chargesheet in the April 22, 2025 Pahalgam terror attack case.

The NIA has alleged that Pakistan-based LeT operatives were involved in the attack and has named Saeed as Accused No. 8 in the alleged larger conspiracy.

India hits out at Pakistan at UN

A day earlier, India criticised Pakistan at the United Nations, accusing Islamabad of focusing on territorial claims and cross-border

terrorism

instead of addressing its economic and domestic challenges.Also read: ‘Kashmiri Pandits driven out by Pakistan-backed terrorists’ - India at UNExercising India's right of reply at the UN Human Rights Council, Indian diplomat Kshitij Tyagi said Pakistan should focus on development rather than “coveting territory of others or exporting terror”.Tyagi also accused Pakistan of suppressing civilians in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and referred to reports of deaths, arrests and restrictions on essential supplies including food, fuel and medicine.