Hafiz Saeed: Not Missing, But Hidden? The Truth Behind Pakistan’s Silence

International News: There is one name that resurfaces in the world of terrorism every time a bomb goes off, innocents die, or India-Pakistan relations hit another low—Hafiz Saeed. But this time, the issue is not about what he has done in the past. The real question now is: Where is he?

Ever since the Pahalgam terror attack, Hafiz Saeed has disappeared from public view. It’s unclear whether he has “vanished into thin air” or is being deliberately shielded. While the Pakistani state claims one thing, its ministers say another, and his son refers vaguely to a “safe location.” Yet, no clear or credible information has emerged.

Three Faces, Three Statements — But Just One Truth?

Khawaja Asif (Pakistan's Defense Minister):

“There are no terrorists left in Pakistan.” Is that true? If not, where is Hafiz Saeed? And if it is, then why is the government being evasive?

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari (Former Foreign Minister): 

“I don’t know, maybe he’s in Afghanistan.” Does this mean the Foreign Ministry itself is unaware of when and how an internationally wanted terrorist left their soil?

Talha Saeed (Hafiz’s Son): “My father is in a safe location and is healthy.” But where exactly is this "safe location"? Is it inside Pakistan or across the border? And who is he being kept safe from—India or Pakistan’s own establishment?

What Happened to Muridke?

The town of Muridke in Pakistan’s Punjab province, considered Hafiz Saeed’s operational base for years, is now heavily guarded with barbed wire and military presence. This change didn’t happen overnight. Since Operation Sindoor, the area appears to have come under strict government control—raising a crucial question: Is this for security or an attempt to erase traces and silence the truth?

The $10 Million Silence

Back in 2015, the United States announced a $10 million bounty on Hafiz Saeed. In a bold response, Hafiz had reportedly laughed and said:

“People here don’t care about the bounty.” Such confidence could only come from someone who knows they’re untouchable.

2019: Detention or Drama?

In 2019, the Pakistani government briefly placed Hafiz Saeed under house arrest, only to release him quietly. From 2019 to 2023, intelligence tracked him moving actively across Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and Punjab’s border regions. But since the end of 2024, he appears to have vanished into the shadows. No sightings, no statements, no trace.

Has Hafiz Become Pakistan’s Strategic Pawn?

The same terrorist who once orchestrated deadly attacks in India now seems to be part of Pakistan’s strategic silence. When a country’s Defence Minister, former Foreign Minister, and even a terrorist’s own son give three contradictory accounts, the questions raised are not just about one man’s presence but about an entire state's credibility and intent.

Is Pakistan shielding him?

• Or is he being hidden as part of a long-term plan?
• Or has he been repositioned to spearhead a new proxy war from foreign soil?
• Until the truth is revealed, every silence from Pakistan will only deepen global suspicion—and every unanswered question will echo louder than ever.