New Delhi: A Pakistani politician’s remarks at a public gathering in Rawalpindi have triggered fresh controversy after he openly spoke about the Pakistan Army’s alleged association with terror groups linked to Hafiz Saeed and Masood Azhar.
Shaheer Sialvi, chairman of the Pakistan Nazriyati Party, made the comments during an event organised by Pakistan based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba. A video of his speech has gone viral on social media, drawing sharp attention because of the direct references to Pakistan’s military involvement and support for militants killed during India’s Operation Sindoor in 2025.
During his address, Sialvi spoke about Indian strikes on Muridke and Bahawalpur, locations that India has repeatedly identified as terror hubs associated with Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed. He stated that, for the first time, the Pakistan Army itself took responsibility for conducting funerals of those killed in the strikes, with soldiers reportedly carrying coffins in uniform and military officials leading the ceremonies.
The remarks have gained further significance because Pakistan has consistently denied offering direct institutional support to militant groups operating from its territory. Sialvi’s comments appeared to contradict that long standing position by describing the militants as “freedom fighters” and suggesting that the Pakistani military openly stood by them during the conflict with India.
In another striking statement, Sialvi claimed that the Pakistan Army had effectively fought for LeT founder Hafiz Saeed and JeM chief Masood Azhar during the military confrontation that followed Operation Sindoor.
The speech also included an admission that Sialvi had personally met Hafiz Saeed. Senior Lashkar commander Muzammil Hashmi was reportedly present at the event.
India launched Operation Sindoor following the Pahalgam terror attack, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan occupied Kashmir. The operation was followed by a brief but intense military escalation between the two countries.
