‘Millions Named Rauf': Ex-Pakistan Minister Hina Rabbani's Defence Of US-Designated Terrorist Backfires
The awkward exchange has since gone viral, exposing Pakistan's internal contradictions over its handling of internationally proscribed individuals.
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.
Former Pak Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar, speaking to Al-Jazeera, claimed that thousands of Abdur Raufs exist in Pakistan. Lashkar terrst Hafiz Abdul Rauf, who led the funeral at Muridke, was a completely different person.Proving terrst Hafiz Abdul Rauf's innocence is… pic.twitter.com/6p5CBwrn4h
— OsintTV 📺 (@OsintTV) July 8, 2025
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.
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.
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First Published:
July 09, 2025, 12:28 IST
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