Former Pakistan interior minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed has drawn criticism after appearing at a public event alongside figures identified as senior members of the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and praising the terror outfit’s chief Hafiz Saeed.

Rasheed, who served as interior minister in the Imran Khan government from 2020 to 2022, also made inflammatory remarks targeting India during the event, according to a video of his speech.

In the video, Rasheed is seen sharing the stage with Khalid Masood Sandhu, identified as a senior LeT commander and president of the Pakistan Markazi Muslim League (PMML), and Qari Muhammad Yaqoob Sheikh, described as a member of the terror group's central advisory committee.

Addressing the gathering, Rasheed openly expressed his support for Hafiz Saeed.

“Main Hafiz sahab ka ghulam hu (I am a slave of Hafiz Saeed),” he said.

Rasheed also claimed that Saeed's phone number had appeared on his phone while he was in the United States and that he was subsequently expelled from the country.

Rasheed issues threats against India

The former minister went on to make a series of provocative remarks against India, claiming that Allah would destroy the country if it “even looks towards Pakistan”.

“No birds will chirp in India, nor will bells ring in a temple,” he said, while claiming that nothing would happen in India that went against Pakistan.

Rasheed also declared his allegiance to Pakistan and Hafiz Saeed, saying, “We are with Pakistan, with Hafiz Saeed.”

Who is Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed?

Rasheed is the founder and leader of the Awami Muslim League and served as Pakistan's interior minister during the Imran Khan government between 2020 and 2022.

His appearance alongside the LeT-linked figures and his remarks praising Saeed have drawn attention because of the banned outfit's presence at the event and his explicit expression of support for its chief.