On 10 May 2025, Pakistan’s military spokesperson, Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, the Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR), addressed growing international criticism over a viral image showing Hafiz Abdur Rauf—a U.S.-designated terrorist leading funeral prayers attended by uniformed Pakistani military personnel.
During a press briefing, DG ISPR dismissed allegations against Hafiz Rauf, asserting that he was merely a religious preacher and family man, not a terrorist. To support this claim, he presented Hafiz’s national ID and aired a video statement from Hafiz himself.
🚨Is Hafiz Abdur Rauf really a Common man❓
Pakistan’s DG ISPR claims that LeT terrorist Hafiz Abdur Rauf is an 'Innocent Man'#PIBFactCheck
❌DG ISPR's "COMMON MAN" is a Globally Sanctioned Terrorist – clearly visible in the viral terrorist funeral picture
✅The identity… pic.twitter.com/Dy8mN72hfo
— PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) May 12, 2025
However, these claims conflict directly with international records. Hafiz Abdur Rauf is listed as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, cited for his prominent leadership role within Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and for overseeing major fundraising efforts for the terror group.
The clarification followed a question posed by journalist Khalid Mahmood from Express News, referencing Indian government and media reports that highlighted an image of Hafiz Rauf conducting funeral prayers, flanked by Pakistan Army officials in full uniform. The image quickly became a focal point of diplomatic outrage.
India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri had earlier accused Pakistan of glorifying terrorists, stating that Islamabad continues to maintain close ties with extremist outfits like The Resistance Front (TRF), LeT, and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). Misri referred to the funeral image as a prime example of state-level support for terror networks.
Indian officials also released a list of militants from LeT and JeM reportedly killed in recent operations, while media outlets such as OpIndia identified Hafiz Rauf as the person leading the prayers at their funeral.
India’s High Commissioner to the UK, Vikram Doraiswami, echoed this concern during an interview, pointing to the viral image as evidence that Pakistan continues to harbor and legitimize individuals on global terrorist watchlists.
Identity Card Matches U.S. Sanctions Records
In a move intended to disprove Indian allegations, DG ISPR displayed Hafiz Rauf’s national identity card at the press conference.
However, the information shown—including his date of birth and ID number—matched entries in the U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctions list.
According to U.S. government documents, Hafiz Rauf has held leadership roles in LeT since at least 1999. He headed the Falah-i-Insaniat Foundation (FIF)—a LeT-linked charity used as a front to bypass international scrutiny after the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. Despite its humanitarian façade, FIF reportedly supported LeT’s financial and operational activities.
In 2008, Hafiz served as LeT’s Director of Humanitarian Relief, and earlier in 2003, he managed its public service initiatives. He has consistently been linked to LeT founder Hafiz Saeed, participating in media outreach and field missions in regions like Bajaur and Peshawar to support LeT’s fundraising and recruitment.
He has also appeared in interviews and publications on LeT’s website, portraying the group’s operations as welfare-driven in an effort to sanitize their terror-related activities. His involvement with LeT’s charitable arms like Idara Khidmat-e-Khalq (IKK) is documented in both media and government reports.
Contradictions Raise More Questions Than Answers
Pakistan’s portrayal of Hafiz Abdur Rauf as a benign cleric is in direct contradiction to his international status as a sanctioned terrorist. While Islamabad aimed to discredit Indian allegations, its defense of Rauf—especially while revealing ID information that corroborates U.S. records—has only intensified global concerns.
This incident has once again spotlighted Pakistan’s complex relationship with terror-designated individuals, fueling accusations that it continues to provide legitimacy and state support to global jihadist figures, despite formal denials.
(With Inputs From OpIndia)
Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.