New York: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif faced pointed questions from journalists at the United Nations over terrorism and Hafiz Saeed, but declined to respond and continued walking.
During the 81st United Nations General Assembly, reporters questioned Sharif as he arrived at the UN headquarters, asking: “Prime Minister, when will you stop providing shelter to terrorists?” He did not answer.
The questioning resumed as Sharif left the UN headquarters. A journalist then directly asked: “When will you prosecute Hafiz Saeed?” The Pakistani Prime Minister again offered no response and walked away.
The exchange has since attracted attention after a video of the incident emerged.
Questions Focus on Hafiz Saeed
Hafiz Mohammad Saeed is a prominent figure associated with Lashkar-e-Taiba. India has designated him a terrorist under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and has repeatedly called on Pakistan to take action against him.
Saeed has also been linked by Indian authorities to the 26 November 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks, in which 166 people were killed. India has alleged that the attacks were carried out through the Lashkar-e-Taiba network and has identified Saeed as a key figure associated with the organisation.
The allegations against Saeed also extend to the Pahalgam terror attack case. In July 2026, the National Investigation Agency named him as an accused in a supplementary chargesheet relating to the case. According to the NIA, he is accused of being part of a larger conspiracy involving Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba and The Resistance Front.
The NIA had earlier filed a chargesheet in December 2025 against Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba and six other accused in connection with the Pahalgam case.
India-Pakistan Terrorism Row at UN
The questions came amid renewed exchanges between India and Pakistan at the United Nations over terrorism.
India has accused Pakistan of supporting cross-border terrorism and has urged Islamabad to address terrorism alongside its economic challenges. Indian diplomats have also raised concerns over the security and human rights situation in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
The questions directed at Sharif therefore came against the backdrop of the long-running India-Pakistan dispute over terrorism. India has repeatedly alleged that Pakistan-based terrorist organisations have been involved in attacks in the country, while Pakistan has rejected the allegations and disputed several Indian claims.
