The Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) has indefinitely postponed a major rally scheduled in Lahore, led by its chief, Hafiz Saeed. The event, initially planned for November 2nd at the historic Minar-e-Pakistan, was seen as a significant demonstration of the banned group’s reach. Pakistani sources have confirmed the postponement, with no indication of when it might be rescheduled.
A video circulating online shows an LeT member announcing that Hafiz Saeed himself made the decision to postpone the rally, leading to confusion and discontent among those who had prepared for his public return after a long absence.
Intelligence assessments suggest that Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) advised the LeT leadership to cancel the event. This directive is reportedly a precautionary measure due to the rising threats from the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which has recently intensified its attacks. Pakistan’s security forces are reportedly on high alert due to escalating friction among various militant organizations operating within the country.
The rally was also intended to honor militants lost in the recent ‘Operation Sindoor’. Preparations reportedly included posters of LeT operatives from Muridke, Punjab, identified as ‘martyrs’. The abrupt cancellation has reportedly left many Lashkar supporters feeling disheartened and uncertain about the group’s strategy moving forward.
Speculation from within LeT’s support base points to potential internal disagreements between the organization’s leaders and Pakistan’s intelligence apparatus. Followers are now awaiting further instructions regarding the rally. This postponement occurs at a time when Pakistan is under considerable domestic and international pressure to address terrorism and its financing, making the LeT’s response to this setback a key indicator of its future path.