Pakistan-based terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) opened a political front ahead of the general elections in Pakistan and announced that founder Hafiz Saeed’s son will contest the upcoming polls.
People familiar with the developments told CNN-News18 that 26/11 Mumbai attacks mastermind Hafiz Saeed’s son, Talha Saeed, will contest from NA127 in Lahore representing the newly-formed Pakistan Markazi Muslim League (PMML), which is led by Khalid Masood Sindhu. He plans to contest the general elections against the top leadership of the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) (PML-(N)).
The party will contest from several seats in Punjab and also from other regions of Pakistan. Talha Saeed has also filed his nomination for the upcoming election in Lahore. People familiar with the developments told CNN-News18 that many Lashkar terrorists are contesting the upcoming polls in Pakistan.
Pakistan will hold elections on February 8, 2024.
Indian intelligence officials familiar with the developments told CNN-News18 that Talha Saeed’s nomination showed that Pakistan recognizes and endorses terrorist groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba. They pointed out that the terror group-backed party was recognised by the Pakistani polling bodies and was also allotted a symbol for contesting the polls.
Talha Saeed has been engaged in activities against India in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and continues to take actions which threaten peace and stability in Jammu and Kashmir region.
The people mentioned above said that Pakistan wants these terrorists in parliament as authorities there are backing a party launched by a UN-designated terrorist.