But as the 81st UN General Assembly opened, reporters converged on Pakistan’s leader Shehbaz Sharif, asking when he would prosecute Hafiz Saeed. He refused to answer, leaving the crowd stunned.
Hafiz Saeed, a Sargodha resident, founded Lashkar‑e‑Taiba and is designated a terrorist under India’s Unlawful Activities Act. He is also named as an accused in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack.
India’s ambassador Kshitij Tyagi, after delivering a scathing rebuke, called Pakistan’s harboring of terrorists a diversion from its debt‑laden economy. He insisted Pakistan prosecute Saeed, warning that such inaction would not help repay the loans it relies on.
India will now push the UN Human Rights Council to hold Pakistan accountable for its alleged support of terrorism. The council will review Pakistan’s compliance with international norms next week, with India expected to file a formal complaint.
In Rawalpindi, a student was arrested after protesting the crackdown on civil liberties, illustrating the domestic cost of Pakistan’s security posture amid international scrutiny.