LeT-Linked Leaders Attend Funeral of Shoaib Akhtar's Brother in Islamabad
The funeral of former Pakistan cricketer Shoaib Akhtar's elder brother, Shahid Akhtar, held in Islamabad on June 24, drew attention after several leaders linked to the banned terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and its political wing, the Pakistan Markazi Muslim League (PMML), were seen attending. Notable attendees included LeT deputy chief Saifullah Kasuri, accused of masterminding the 2025 Pahalgam attack, and PMML officials such as Inam-ur-Rehman Kamboh. Shoaib Akhtar has not publicly addressed the presence of these figures. The incident has reignited concerns about Pakistan's alleged support for terror groups and the public visibility of such individuals within the country.
First-hand measurement across 14 sources
We measured how 14 outlets covered this story. Coverage leans balanced overall (Left 11%, Centre 59%, Right 30%). Overall sentiment is negative (28/100). Lens Score 35/100 — moderate-to-low public interest.
Outlets analysed (first-hand measurement by TBN's Bias Engine):
- timesnow— right-leaning framing, negative sentiment
- wion— balanced framing, negative sentiment
- thestatesman— balanced framing, negative sentiment
- opindia— balanced framing, negative sentiment
- news18— balanced framing, negative sentiment
- firstpost— balanced framing, negative sentiment
- zeenews— right-leaning framing, negative sentiment
- ndtv— right-leaning framing, negative sentiment
AI Analysis
The article group predominantly reflects perspectives critical of Pakistan's handling of terror-linked groups, emphasizing the presence of Lashkar-e-Taiba affiliates at a public event. Indian media sources highlight security concerns and Pakistan's alleged support for terrorism, while Pakistani sources confirm the funeral details without direct commentary on the controversy. The coverage largely centers on security and political implications without extensive input from Shoaib Akhtar or Pakistani officials, presenting a narrative focused on the implications of the attendees' identities.
The overall tone across the articles is critical and concerned, focusing on the implications of terror-linked figures attending a high-profile funeral. The sentiment underscores apprehension about Pakistan's counter-terrorism efforts and the visibility of banned groups, with limited neutral or positive framing. Shoaib Akhtar's silence on the matter is noted but not interpreted positively or negatively, maintaining a predominantly serious and cautionary mood throughout the coverage.