LeT Hails Asim Munir’s Rise As Pakistan’s First CDF, Issues Warning To ‘Brother Islamic Country’ Afghanistan
With becoming Pakistan's first CDF, Asim Munir now holds direct authority over all three services; operational control of Pakistan’s nuclear weapons. Image courtesy: Wikimedia Commons
A senior Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) leader and close aide of Hafiz Saeed has openly supported Asim Munir’s appointment as Pakistan’s first Chief of Defence Forces. This was the second big promotion for the Pakistani General this year, since Operation Sindoor in May 2025, when India attacked terror bases in Pakistan and PoK.
Now, Munir’s appointment as the countries first CDF has received a backing from LeT commander Qari Yaqoob Sheikh, highlighting the strong links between Pakistan’s military and banned terror groups. In a recently surfaced video, LeT commander Sheikh is heard praising Munir while warning Afghanistan.
Sheikh allegedly stated that Lashkar-e-Taiba is ready to fight alongside the Pakistan Army if Kabul does not stop alleged anti-Pakistan activities. Sheikh tried to present LeT as a protector of Pakistan’s interests. He said that Afghans had made sacrifices for Pakistan and “deserve to be rewarded.”
LeT backs Asim Munir, Warns Afghanistan
The LeT further argued that every country has the right to take steps for its defence and praised General Munir’s recent decisions, saying they have built “trust and respect” among clerics.
With this, Sheikh also backed a fatwa issued by clerics from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and Afghanistan, which stated Afghan soil must not be used for terrorism against any country. Sheikh said if the Taliban government assures Islamabad that no anti-Pakistan operations will come from Afghanistan, relations could reach “new heights.”
He added that Pakistan has long supported Afghanistan as a “brother Islamic country” and has hosted Afghan refugees.
A message for Afghanistan
LeT commander Sheikh even urged Kabul to make a clear promise. He said, “The Afghan leadership should now clearly declare that no attack on Pakistan will be launched from their soil.” He then warned the Taliban regime, “An announcement should come from the Afghan Taliban that no bullet will be fired at Pakistan from their soil.”
If such an assurance is not given, then remember this: for Pakistan’s defence, we stand firmly with the Pakistan Army, he noted. This warning comes amid renewed violence along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. Last week, an overnight exchange of fire between Afghan forces and Pakistani troops killed five Afghan civilians and injured several others.
Pakistan also reported civilian casualties. Both sides accused each other of breaking a fragile two-month ceasefire.
