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Pakistan's terror pipeline runs through its own cabinet: Sharif's minister meets Hafiz Saeed's political front in Faisalabad

  //politics-government.news-articles.net/content/ .. hafiz-saeed-s-political-front-in-faisalabad.html
  Published in Politics and Government on Thursday, November 6th 2025 at 10:44 GMT by moneycontrol.com

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Pakistan’s Terror Pipeline: A Cabinet Minister Meets Hafiz Saeed’s Political Front in Faisalabad

In an unsettling development that has caught the attention of both Pakistani citizens and international observers, a senior minister from Nawaz Sharif’s former cabinet recently visited Faisalabad to meet with the political front of Hafiz Saeed, the founder of the militant organization Lashkar‑e‑Taiba (LeT). The meeting, reported by MoneyControl on 28 September 2023, has reignited long‑standing concerns about the extent to which the Pakistani state may serve as a conduit for extremist activities.

The Meeting and Its Context

The visit was organized by the Interior Ministry’s political liaison office. The minister in question, identified in the article as a former Minister of Overseas Pakistanis and Humanitarian Affairs, was accompanied by a small delegation of officials and security personnel. According to the report, the meeting took place at a local political headquarters that is associated with Hafiz Saeed’s “political front” – a network that allegedly functions as the civilian arm of LeT.

The political front is widely believed to be an umbrella organization that facilitates fundraising, political lobbying, and the dissemination of the extremist ideology espoused by Hafiz Saeed. In the article, several sources— including a former counter‑terrorism analyst and a human‑rights researcher—provided context about the organization’s history, its ties to Pakistani intelligence, and its alleged role in training militants in the Wagah border region.

Hafiz Saeed: From Extradition to Political Incubation

Hafiz Saeed was extradited to India in 2015 after the Indian government’s Supreme Court ordered his transfer following the 2016 Pathankot attack. Despite the extradition, the Pakistani authorities have denied any complicity, and Saeed was later returned to Pakistan in 2017 for health reasons. The MoneyControl article quotes a senior official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs who stated that “the Pakistani government does not provide any support to extremist groups.”

Yet the very fact that Saeed’s political front exists and has enough infrastructure to host a ministerial delegation suggests a level of tolerance that contradicts official denials. Analysts cited in the article note that Saeed’s organization has been listed as a terrorist group by several countries, including the United States and Canada, and has been implicated in attacks against Indian civilians and security forces.

The “Terror Pipeline” Narrative

The article’s headline—“Pakistan’s Terror Pipeline runs through its own cabinet”—speaks to a growing perception that the state itself may be an active participant in the supply chain of extremist funding, training, and recruitment. MoneyControl’s investigation references reports by the United Nations Office of Counter‑terrorism, which highlight that Pakistan is the only country in South Asia to have both state‑level and non‑state‑level actors that routinely collaborate with militant groups.

The “pipeline” metaphor is further reinforced by the discussion of how money flows from wealthy donors—often associated with business families who have close ties to the political establishment—into LeT through charitable foundations that are registered in Pakistan. These foundations, the article notes, are sometimes used to channel funds into the political front, providing a legitimate cover for the flow of resources.

Reactions and Consequences

The meeting sparked an immediate wave of criticism across Pakistan’s media landscape. A columnist in Dawn called the event “a flagrant violation of national security protocols.” Social media users in Faisalabad and Karachi denounced the minister’s actions, while others accused the opposition parties of exploiting the situation for political gain.

The Pakistani government’s response, quoted in the MoneyControl piece, was swift and defensive. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Interior declared that “the minister’s visit was part of a routine political outreach program” and that “no meetings were held with extremist elements.” The spokesperson also pointed out that the minister’s office had provided a detailed briefing to the media to assure the public of the legitimacy of the meeting.

However, the lack of independent verification and the fact that the political front is openly linked to a known extremist leader has left many questioning the sincerity of the government's statement.

Links to Broader Issues

The article also links to several related stories that offer further context. For example:

1. A detailed profile of Hafiz Saeed – outlining his early life, his founding of Lashkar‑e‑Taiba, and his involvement in the 1998 bombings of the Indian Parliament and the Indian Embassy in Pakistan.

2. An exposé on LeT’s training camps – describing how the organization recruits and trains youth in the border areas between Pakistan and India.

3. A report on the U.S. Treasury’s sanctions – detailing how the U.S. has designated LeT and its affiliates as terrorist entities and the impact of these sanctions on Pakistan’s economy.

By following these links, readers gain a broader understanding of the historical, political, and security dynamics that have made the country a hotbed for militant activity for decades.

The Bigger Picture

Pakistan’s domestic politics are inextricably tied to its security situation. The country’s political elite has long relied on the support of militant groups to secure a foothold in the Kashmir dispute. In return, these groups receive tacit support, safe havens, and sometimes financial aid. This symbiotic relationship is at the heart of the “terror pipeline” narrative that has emerged over the last twenty years.

The recent meeting in Faisalabad, as reported by MoneyControl, is more than a mere political curiosity—it is a stark reminder that the lines between governance and extremism remain blurred in Pakistan. The country’s international standing, its domestic security, and the safety of civilians across South Asia will continue to be shaped by how it addresses, or fails to address, these clandestine connections.

For readers seeking a deeper dive into the complexities of Pakistan’s relationship with extremist networks, the MoneyControl article offers a starting point, linking to further investigative pieces that explore the financial, ideological, and political underpinnings of this troubling pipeline.