Arshad Nadeem, Pakistan’s javelin thrower who recently won a gold medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics, is facing backlash after a video surfaced showing him with Muhammad Harris Dar, a known terrorist linked to the extremist group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). This video has ignited a significant controversy due to Dar’s affiliations with terrorism.
Dar, who is associated with LeT and holds a position as joint secretary in the Milli Muslim League (MML)—a party considered a political front for LeT—was seen congratulating Nadeem on his Olympic victory. The MML is led by Hafiz Saeed, notorious for orchestrating the 2008 Mumbai attacks. Dar himself has been designated as a global terrorist by the U.S. Treasury Department and is involved in training recruits for LeT.
The video, shared on X (formerly Twitter) by an open-source intelligence (OSINT) handle, depicts Dar praising Nadeem’s achievement as a significant moment for the Muslim community. This connection has raised eyebrows, given Dar’s extremist background and his history of anti-India rhetoric.
Nadeem’s return to Pakistan was met with a hero’s welcome, including a grand water cannon salute. The Punjab government honored him with a substantial cash prize and a new car in recognition of his historic win. Despite this, the video has led to questions about Nadeem’s associations and the potential impact on his reputation.
The situation highlights the intersection of sports and politics, revealing the complexities athletes face in their personal and professional lives. The controversy surrounding Nadeem may affect his public image and invites further scrutiny from both national and international observers.