Shehbaz Sharif Declines Questions on Hafiz Saeed During UN Visit

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif declined to answer questions from reporters about Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) founder Hafiz Saeed during his visit to the United Nations headquarters in New York for the 81st UN General Assembly.

As Sharif entered the UN headquarters, a reporter asked him, “Prime Minister, when will you stop harbouring terrorists?” The Pakistani Prime Minister did not respond and continued walking.

He was confronted with another question while leaving the UN premises, with reporters asking when Pakistan would prosecute Hafiz Saeed. Sharif again did not respond.

The exchange was captured on video and was reported by several media outlets on Friday.

Hafiz Saeed is the founder of the Pakistan-based LeT and remains on the UN Security Council’s sanctions list. The UN says he was listed in December 2008 for his association with LeT and al-Qaeda and identifies him as the leader of LeT.

The UN’s current sanctions information also states that Saeed is in Pakistani custody and serving a 78-year prison sentence following convictions in seven terror-financing cases. The United States has separately offered a reward of up to $10 million for information leading to his arrest or conviction.

The questions came amid renewed exchanges between India and Pakistan at international forums.

At the UN Human Rights Council, Indian diplomat Kshitij Tyagi criticised Pakistan over what he described as its approach to cross-border terrorism and its focus on territorial issues. Tyagi argued that Pakistan should concentrate on economic development rather than what he characterised as territorial ambitions and support for terrorism.

He also raised concerns over the treatment of civilians in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and referred to reports of deaths, arrests and restrictions affecting access to essential supplies. These remarks formed part of India’s diplomatic position at the Human Rights Council, rather than an independent UN finding on the claims.

The Human Rights Council is currently holding its 63rd regular session in Geneva from September 7 to October 7, 2026.

The latest episode at the UN headquarters comes as Hafiz Saeed continues to remain an internationally sanctioned figure, while questions over Pakistan’s handling of individuals associated with militant organisations remain a recurring issue in India-Pakistan diplomatic exchanges.