‘Millions Named Rauf’: Ex-Pakistan Minister Hina Rabbani’s Defence Of US-Designated Terrorist Backfires

Last Updated:July 09, 2025, 12:36 IST

The awkward exchange has since gone viral, exposing Pakistan’s internal contradictions over its handling of internationally proscribed individuals.

Hina Rabbani was quickly fact-checked by the Al Jazeera journalist. (AFP)

Former Pakistani Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar found herself cornered during a live Al Jazeera interview after attempting to downplay the presence of a US-designated terrorist at a funeral procession in Pakistan. Khar, aiming to defend Islamabad’s stance following India’s Operation Sindoor, claimed that the individual seen leading the funeral — Hafiz Abdur Rauf — was merely a “common man" and not the global terrorist listed under US sanctions.

“There are countless people with that name in Pakistan," Khar insisted, holding up the image of the man spotted during the funeral of militants killed in the May 7 operation by Indian forces. “This is not the person India claims it is," she reiterated, asserting that evidence had been shared globally to support her claim.

However, the interview quickly turned confrontational when the Al Jazeera anchor countered her statement. Referring to a press conference held by the Pakistan military, the anchor pointed out that the army had not denied the authenticity of the image. Instead, they described the individual as a member of a political party and even released his national ID number—one that matches the ID listed under US terrorism sanctions.

Caught off-guard, Khar responded, “The Pakistani army is not defending a US-proscribed terrorist." But the interviewer immediately reminded her that the ID number confirmed the individual’s identity, contradicting her claim.

Pressed further, Khar attempted to clarify, citing the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) wing of the Pakistan Army, saying, “The ISPR has clearly stated it is not the same person." The interviewer, however, pointed out the contradiction: “You just said the army defended him. They didn’t deny the identity."

The awkward exchange has since gone viral, exposing Pakistan’s internal contradictions over its handling of internationally proscribed individuals.

Pakistan’s Claim Was Fact-Checked

The Press Information Bureau’s Fact had earlier debunked Pakistan’s denial over Hafiz Abdur Rauf’s terror links, sharing a direct link to the US Sanctions List where Rauf is officially listed as a designated terrorist.

This clarification followed a viral video showing Rauf leading funeral prayers for Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists eliminated by Indian forces during Operation Sindoor on May 7, an operation launched in response to the killing of Indian tourists in Pahalgam by Pakistan-backed militants.

The video captured Rauf participating in the funeral, followed by chants of “Al Jihad, Al Jihad" from the crowd. Indian Army sources had also confirmed that several Pakistani Army personnel were present at the ceremony alongside Rauf.

Known for his close association with Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD), the LeT’s front organisation, Rauf has worked for years with LeT founder Hafiz Saeed and remains a central figure in the group’s ideological and operational leadership, despite no familial connection.

Rauf is listed under the UN Security Council’s 1267 sanctions and has been blacklisted by the US Treasury Department. He frequently appears in public events linked to LeT, often taking on religious roles to project a clerical image while continuing to serve as a vital cog in the terror outfit’s functioning.

News world ‘Millions Named Rauf’: Ex-Pakistan Minister Hina Rabbani’s Defence Of US-Designated Terrorist Backfires