Former Pakistan minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed has drawn sharp criticism after appearing at a public event alongside senior figures linked to the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). During the event, Rasheed praised LeT chief Hafiz Saeed and made threatening remarks against India. A video from the gathering shows the former minister sharing the stage with Khalid Masood Sandhu and Qari Muhammad Yaqoob Sheikh.

Khalid Masood Sandhu has been identified as a senior LeT commander. He also serves as the president of the Pakistan Markazi Muslim League (PMML). Qari Muhammad Yaqoob Sheikh is identified as a member of the terror group's central advisory committee.

While addressing the gathering, Rasheed openly expressed his support for Hafiz Saeed. He praised the jailed LeT founder and made a direct statement about his association with him. “Main Hafiz sahab ka ghulam hu (I am a slave of Hafiz Saeed),” he said, according to the video.

Rasheed also used the event to make aggressive remarks against India. He claimed that Allah would destroy India if the country “even looks towards Pakistan." His comments were followed by further inflammatory statements about India and its people.

“No birds will chirp in India, nor will bells ring in a temple,” Rasheed said. He also claimed that nothing would happen in India that went against Pakistan. His remarks have sparked criticism, particularly given that they came while he was appearing alongside individuals identified as senior members or associates of LeT.

The former minister continued to declare his support for Pakistan and Hafiz Saeed. “We are with Pakistan, with Hafiz Saeed,” he said during the gathering. The statement added to the controversy surrounding his appearance and comments at the event.

Hafiz Saeed is the founder of Lashkar-e-Taiba, a Pakistan-based terror organisation. The United States and India have accused the group and its leadership of involvement in major terror attacks. Saeed has also been designated as a terrorist by the United Nations.

Rasheed's remarks have gained attention in the context of his previous political role in Pakistan. He served as the Interior Minister in the government led by former Prime Minister Imran Khan from 2020 to 2022. During his time in office, he was one of the prominent figures in the Pakistani government.

Rasheed is also the founder and leader of the Awami Muslim League, a political party in Pakistan. His latest appearance has raised questions over his public association with individuals linked to a banned terrorist organisation and his open praise for Hafiz Saeed.

The video of the event shows Rasheed speaking in front of the gathering while standing alongside Sandhu and Sheikh. His statements have since drawn renewed scrutiny over his position on militant groups and his remarks directed at India.

The former minister's comments also come against the backdrop of longstanding tensions between India and Pakistan. Relations between the two countries have remained strained over terrorism, cross-border militancy and other security concerns. Rasheed's remarks have added another controversial episode to those tensions.

The public appearance and his statements have particularly drawn attention to his direct praise for Hafiz Saeed. By declaring himself a “slave” of Saeed and saying, “We are with Pakistan, with Hafiz Saeed,” Rasheed made his support clear during the event.

The episode has once again put the spotlight on the presence of political figures alongside individuals linked to militant organisations in Pakistan. It has also triggered criticism over the use of threatening language against India at a public gathering.