Hafiz Saeed’s planned rally in Lahore, a significant event for the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), has been postponed without a set new date. The gathering, initially slated for November 2 at Minar-e-Pakistan, was positioned as a major public display by the banned organization. Sources confirm the indefinite deferral.
A video widely shared online shows an LeT representative informing attendees that their leader, Saeed, has personally decided to delay the rally. This message has been met with surprise and some distress by supporters who were anticipating Saeed’s public reappearance.
Intelligence reports suggest that Pakistan’s powerful Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) may have instructed LeT to cancel the rally. This supposed directive is thought to be connected to heightened security concerns arising from increased attacks by the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in recent weeks. The nation’s security apparatus is reportedly on a heightened state of alert due to rising friction among various militant groups active in Pakistan.
The rally was also meant to commemorate LeT fighters lost in the recent ‘Operation Sindoor.’ Posters identifying LeT operatives as ‘martyrs’ had been displayed at the planned rally site; these individuals are reportedly linked to the group’s base in Muridke, Punjab. The unexpected cancellation has left many Lashkar supporters feeling disillusioned and uncertain about their group’s next steps.
Insiders within the LeT support network speculate that the postponement could indicate a divergence of views between militant commanders and Pakistan’s intelligence services. Supporters are now awaiting further communication on whether the rally will be rescheduled. This development occurs at a critical juncture, with Pakistan facing considerable pressure, both internally and externally, to effectively curb terrorism and its funding mechanisms. The manner in which Hafiz Saeed’s LeT navigates this postponement will likely influence its future role in the region.