According to press reports, Hafiz Talha Saeed, the son of convicted 2008 Mumbai attacks mastermind Hafiz Saeed, made a hate-fueled speech at a rally in Lahore coinciding with Pakistan’s annual Kashmir Solidarity Day on February 5, 2025.
Talha Saeed threatened Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the words: “Kashmir belongs to Muslims, and we will take Kashmir from you.” He added that Kashmir will join “Pakistan Muslim India” very soon.
The Attack on PM Modi and Defense of Hafiz Saeed
Through his speech, Talha Saeed called Prime Minister Modi “shaitaan,” launching a fiery tirade against the latter. He staunchly defended his father, Hafiz Saeed, the founder of the Lashkar-e-Taiba, a group designated as a terrorist organization by the United States and the United Nations.
International sanctions against this organization were dismissed by Talha as mere “propaganda” to tarnish the image of his father.
Doubting his father’s conviction, he demanded an immediate review of the case by the Pakistani government with a release of Hafiz Saeed, adding that someone should explain to authorities: “Hafiz Saeed is not guilty; why is he suffering in jail?” The words were echoed by those who rallied, who loudly chanted in support of Hafiz Saeed and Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) in their chants.
Hafiz Saeed Background
Hafiz Saeed is widely regarded as the principal architect of the November 2008 attacks, which resulted in a death toll exceeding 160. In addition, many terror-related activities, financing, and accoviant anti-India rhetoric have been pinned on him.
The United States, in 2012, announced a bounty of $10 million for the capture of Hafiz. As of 2022, Hafiz was sentenced by a Pakistani court to 78 years in prison for terror-related offenses, with another 31 years lopped onto that sentence later that year.
Observance of Kashmir Solidarity Day by Pakistan
Kashmir Solidarity Day is celebrated every year in Pakistan to express support to the Kashmiris for their right to self-determination.
This day is filled with rallies, speeches, and demonstrations in support of Pakistan’s view on the issue of Kashmir. Among the more controversial events associated with this observance is the address by Talha Saeed, which, given its overtly aggressive tone, poses a direct challenge to Indian leadership.
International Reactions and Implications
Talha Saeed’s speech has made international headlines, particularly with regard to its influence on India-Pakistan relations. The direct threats and inflammatory language will only increase tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.
India has historically accused Pakistan of sheltering and harboring terrorists that attack its territory, which Pakistan has repeatedly denied.
The international community has long urged both nations to negotiate their grievances against each other, especially concerning Kashmir.
However, speeches such as that delivered by Talha Saeed are formidable obstacles toward diplomatic efforts, which further bolster hostility and undermine confidence-building efforts.
Hafiz Talha Saeed’s recent speech in Lahore clearly serves as an echo of the animosities that continue to permeate India-Pakistan relations.
His incendiary statements pose a direct challenge to diplomatic norms, though they, in themselves, create greater impediments to peace in the region.
As events progress, time will tell how the two nations, along with the wider international community, respond to such incendiary rhetoric.
