New Delhi, November 10, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) is increasingly using its political front, the Pakistan Markazi Muslim League (PMML), to expand its presence in Pakistan’s political landscape, while preparing Hafiz Saeed’s son, Talha Saeed, for a possible leadership role, according to officials cited in a report.
The outfit’s political outreach began years ago through the now-banned Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) and has since continued under the PMML banner. The move is being viewed by officials as an attempt to gain mainstream political acceptance while providing a cover for LeT’s terror-related activities.
With Hafiz Saeed ageing and the outfit having suffered losses during Operation Sindoor, LeT has reportedly been considering succession arrangements. Officials said Talha Saeed is the natural choice to eventually replace his father, although he has yet to command the same ideological standing and respect within the organisation.
According to an official, an LeT leadership meeting around ten days ago unanimously decided that Hafiz Saeed would continue as chief, while Talha would take charge of operations and occupy the number two position. The meeting also acknowledged that Talha would eventually have to assume the leadership.
Talha has recently stepped up public appearances through the PMML platform. At a rally on November 8, he called for Pakistan’s unity in the face of India and invoked the legacy of the Muslim League, which spearheaded the campaign for a separate Pakistan.
Officials cited in the report said Talha was attempting to establish himself as his father’s successor while building political space for the PMML. His references to Pakistan as the protector of the Muslim Umma, as well as Mecca and Medina, were also described as part of this outreach.
Despite his growing public profile, there is reportedly some reluctance among LeT cadres to accept Talha as a complete ideological successor to Hafiz Saeed. He will need to establish his credentials within the organisation while expanding the PMML’s political influence.
The party’s recent electoral performance has drawn attention. In the National Assembly by-election in Gujranwala, held following the death of PML-N lawmaker Chaudhry Mehmood Bashir Virk, PMML candidate Muhammad Ibrahim secured second place with 30,218 votes and a 41.1 per cent vote share.
PML-N candidate Rashid Bashir Virk won the seat with 43,365 votes and 58.9 per cent of the vote. The PMML’s performance may have benefited from the absence of the PTI and Pakistan Peoples Party, but has nevertheless been described as significant.
Counterterrorism experts have warned that the PMML’s growing political presence could have implications for regional security. Indian agencies are reportedly monitoring the developments amid concerns that LeT could use its political platform to strengthen its organisational reach and activities against India.
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