The funeral of Shahid Akhtar, the elder brother of former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, has drawn attention after a video circulating online appeared to show individuals reported to be associated with the political wing of the banned militant outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) attending the funeral prayers in Islamabad. The claims have triggered renewed discussion over Pakistan's handling of individuals linked to proscribed organisations. Neither Shoaib Akhtar nor the attendees identified in the reports have publicly commented on the allegations.
According to reports, the video was released by the Pakistan Markazi Muslim League (PMML), which India and some analysts describe as a political proxy of the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba. The footage reportedly shows several individuals standing in the prayer line during the funeral. Media reports identified those present as including PMML's Islamabad chief Inam-ur-Rehman Kamboh, deputy general secretary Abdullah Toor, zonal general secretary Hafiz Umar and Khidmat Committee chairman Amjad Bhatti, among others. These claims have not been independently verified.
Shahid Akhtar reportedly died three days earlier following a cardiac arrest, according to Pakistani media. Confirming the death, Shoaib Akhtar posted on social media that his elder brother had "returned to Allah Subhana wa Taala" and said details of the funeral prayers would be shared later. Since the emergence of the video, the former cricketer has not publicly addressed the reports regarding the alleged presence of the political figures at the funeral.
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The reported attendance has generated political and security-related debate because of longstanding allegations surrounding militant groups operating from Pakistan. India has repeatedly accused Pakistan of failing to take effective action against terrorist organisations and their leadership, while Pakistan has consistently rejected allegations that it provides support or safe haven to such groups. The issue has remained a recurring point of tension in relations between the two countries.
The circulating video has been widely shared on social media, with users expressing differing views over its significance. Some have argued that the reported presence of the individuals raises questions about the visibility of people linked to proscribed organisations, while others have cautioned against drawing conclusions solely from images or video footage without official confirmation of the identities and affiliations of those present.
No official statement has been issued by Pakistani authorities regarding the reports, and there has been no public response from Shoaib Akhtar concerning the controversy at the time of publication. As the video continues to circulate online, the incident has once again drawn attention to the broader debate surrounding militancy, political organisations and regional security issues in South Asia.
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