Key Points
- Lashkar-e-Taiba, a UN-designated terror group, held a large public rally in Kaisur, Punjab province, Pakistan, with full security provided by the Pakistani army.
- Lashkar’s deputy commander Saifullah Kasuri delivered a hate-filled speech against India, glorifying terrorists killed in Operation Sindoor and making unsubstantiated claims about cyberattacks on India.
- Talha Saeed, son of UN-designated terrorist Hafiz Saeed, attended the event, signaling high-level involvement.
- The gathering’s true objectives included fundraising and recruitment, with backing from Pakistan’s military and intelligence agency ISI.
- Experts warn that such open support for terror groups poses a grave threat to regional stability and directly endangers India’s security.
Islamabad: In a move that has shocked the international community, Pakistan has once again provided an open platform to banned terrorist organizations. The latest evidence emerged from the Kaisur area of Punjab province, where Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) held a massive public gathering on the occasion of ‘Yaum-e-Takbir’ with the Pakistani army itself providing tight security.
Hate Speech and False Claims Take Center Stage
The rally, attended by hundreds, featured a 20-minute incendiary speech by Lashkar’s deputy commander, Saifullah Kasuri. Kasuri openly glorified those killed in India’s Operation Sindoor, referring to them as “martyrs” and attempting to whip up anti-India sentiment. In an effort to stir emotions and recruit new members, he claimed without evidence that Pakistani hackers had crippled 70% of India’s power grid, a statement met with loud applause from the crowd.
Kasuri also tried to paint the perpetrators of the Pahalgam attack as innocent victims, further fueling the narrative of victimhood and resistance that terror groups often use for recruitment.
VIP Presence and Army Backing
The rally was notable for the presence of Talha Saeed, son of Lashkar founder Hafiz Saeed, who is listed as a global terrorist by the United Nations. The event’s security arrangements rivaled those of official government functions, with Pakistani army and intelligence (ISI) personnel ensuring the gathering proceeded without disruption.
Sources reveal that such rallies serve dual purposes: raising funds from the local population and recruiting new operatives for future attacks. The open involvement of the military and intelligence agencies underscores Pakistan’s continued policy of providing tacit and at times, overt support to terror outfits.
Pakistan’s “Undeclared Policy” Raises Alarms
This event comes at a time when Pakistan is under intense international scrutiny following Operation Sindoor, which exposed its links to cross-border terrorism. Rather than curbing such activities, the government appears to be doubling down, allowing terror groups to operate in the open and even facilitating their events.
Security experts and analysts warn that this “undeclared policy” of mainstreaming terrorist organizations reflects Pakistan’s internal desperation and is a grave threat to regional peace. The normalization of such gatherings not only emboldens terror groups but also poses a direct and immediate security challenge to India.
International Implications
The Kaisur rally has once again exposed the duplicity of Pakistan’s counter-terrorism claims. As global pressure mounts, the blatant public support for banned organizations is likely to further isolate Pakistan diplomatically and economically.
Pakistan’s decision to allow Lashkar-e-Taiba to hold a public, army-protected rally complete with hate speeches and high-profile terror figures—has removed any pretense about its stance on terrorism. This brazen display is not just a threat to India, but a warning sign for the entire region and the international community.
