No meeting with US envoy over California shooter's links to Lal Masjid: PM House

E-Paper | March 18, 2026

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Saturday denied reports in international and local media claiming that officials from the United States (US) had a meeting with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif regarding the alleged link between Tashfeen Malik - the female shooter in the California rampage - and Lal Masjid and its cleric.

A statement released by the Prime Minister's House said news reports regarding the meeting of a special US envoy with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in London to discuss the California tragedy are 'baseless' and 'incorrect.'

Reports had claimed that US officials had delivered a message regarding the alleged link between Malik, and Islamabad's Lal Masjid, to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in London.

Read: California rampage: Female shooter pledged allegiance to IS, report says

Earlier, it was reported by the Los Angeles chapter of CAIR (Council of American Islamic Relations) that Tashfeen Malik was of Pakistani origin.

Malik had been married to Farook – the second shooter – for two years. The couple had a six-month-old baby girl, claimed CAIR.

Malik had also pledged allegiance to the militant Islamic State's (IS) leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi using a separate Facebook account, according to US officials.

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents have taken charge of the investigation of the mass shooting in San Bernardino and were combing through evidence.

Law enforcement officials quoted earlier by the The New York Times said the FBI was treating the shooting as a potential terrorist act.

Malik, with her husband Syed Rizwan Farook, opened fire on a banquet at a social services centre for the disabled in San Bernardino, California, killing 14 people and seriously wounding more than a dozen others.

A map showing the site of the attack - AFP/File

The duo were dressed in black military-style gear and carried assault weapons and semi-automatic handguns when they raided the party where about 80 people had gathered shortly before lunchtime.

Authorities identified the victims as six women and eight men ranging in age from 26 to 60.

The couple were shot dead later in the day in a shoot out with law-enforcement officials.

The attack was the deadliest mass shooting in the US since the 2012 assault on an elementary school in Connecticut that left 26 people dead, including 20 children.

Pakistan

California rampage: Female shooter pledged allegiance to IS, report says

California killing: Female assailant was from Pakistan, CAIR claims

Suspects Syed Farook, Tashfeen Malik kill 14 in California shooting: authorities

Sarawan Raghwan

Dec 05, 2015 01:22pm

It is a well known fact: The Western press's most potent weapon is: lies, lies, and lies.

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KANDHKOTI

Dec 05, 2015 01:28pm

This seems to be a propaganda against Pakistan by some hidden quarter .

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Just here

Dec 05, 2015 01:39pm

Because of one person now all will suffer.

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ailly

Dec 05, 2015 02:24pm

this govt, PM and their ministers had lied so many times in recent past and in previous two terms, now people don believe what they insist about. rather, people trust in other's what they say about this govt. PM is fast becoming a house of lies.

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Philosopher (from Japan)

Dec 05, 2015 02:39pm

She delivered a BaBy six months back and now committed the shooting on disabled persons. I don't buy this story. Fabricated and concocted.

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Dec 05, 2015 02:44pm

People now start coming up with conspiracy theories instead of facing the reality.

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timetostopthis

Dec 05, 2015 02:51pm

This is the reason things will never improve. Too many people living in denial and believing in conspiracy theories.

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Zeeshan

Dec 05, 2015 02:53pm

@Philosopher (from Japan) keep on living in a world of denial and conspiracy theories..

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Khalid Khan

Dec 05, 2015 02:58pm

The PM even lied about his secret meeting with Modi a couple of years back,

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sid

Dec 05, 2015 03:06pm

This proves Musharraf was right all along. Yet, these people who are in office now were the same people behind the demonstrations against the action Musharraf took. Shame on them. Hope the US has stern words with the PM

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Taimoor Khan

Dec 05, 2015 03:11pm

Pakistan needs to tell the Americans right on their faces, it's your internal problem, DEAL WITH IT. While we move on with opeation Zrb-e-azb. Neither we have time nor we are interested in sorting internal American issues, most of them are based on lies, deception and false flag anyway.

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lb 05.12.15

Dec 05, 2015 03:18pm

YOUR COMMENT western policy is to link criminal acts to terrorism

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pakistani

Dec 05, 2015 03:19pm

@timetostopthis No what they believe is in common sense and a fundamental ability to reason, to put two and two together and to question. Sadly there is a whole class who is content on just accepting what is fed to them, even when it is far fetched and just doesn't make sense.

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MAlvi

Dec 05, 2015 03:20pm

@Philosopher (from Japan) You don't believe what the investigation finds. What other sources do you have to believe?

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MAlvi

Dec 05, 2015 03:23pm

@Khalid Khan Indian and Pakistani PM's are behaving strangely. PM's do not meet secretly; their other staff may do so.

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Dec 05, 2015 03:30pm

@Taimoor Khan I fully agree with you

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Dec 05, 2015 03:48pm

It is going to get more difficult for Pakistanis to get visa to USA.

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Gaz

Dec 05, 2015 03:51pm

If you believe this is all lies then go and listen to a sermon at Lal masjid and you will see how close this all is to the truth.

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Dec 05, 2015 03:52pm

@Philosopher (from Japan) Fact is a fact. It will not change because you will not believe it.

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Imran

Dec 05, 2015 03:54pm

I wouldn't be surprised at all if connection with Lal Masjid exists. In fact I hope it does because at least under US pressure there will have to be some final decisive action against that moulvi.

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Shaukat Ali Khan

Dec 05, 2015 03:57pm

US may fabricate any story.

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timetostopthis

Dec 05, 2015 03:58pm

@pakistani facts are facts and they will not change just because you refuse to believe them. Lack of education and closed minds leads to your kind of thinking where you find it hard to distinguish fact from fiction.

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Fahd

Dec 05, 2015 04:02pm

NS in London again???

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PHILOSOPHER (from Japan)

Dec 05, 2015 04:03pm

@rs either it won't become fact if you believe it.

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PHILOSOPHER (from Japan)

Dec 05, 2015 04:08pm

@MAlvi because in all such cases there is a similarity of killing of culprits too. Be it JFK's killing, Benazir Bhutto's, Liaquat Ali Khan's, why don't these killers get apprehended and confessed to media.

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Curious

Dec 05, 2015 04:27pm

US Police is a very competent force well equipped and trained with latest technology. Why couldn't they catch them alive? That would have saved them lot of embarrassment. They could have blocked their escape routes and then closed on. They could have disabled the vehicle. But apparently they wanted them dead. They will have to explain this to the world now.

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Razak (from Kazak)

Dec 05, 2015 04:47pm

@Philosopher (from Japan) when do you guys stand up and say enough is enough and do some fruitful things to stop this madness????

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Salam

Dec 05, 2015 04:47pm

Why does the article not mention which news source spread that lie. If it can mention and quote LA Chapter of CAIR, NY Times, FBI, etc, why it could not name by name the news source that is controversial? Is the PM House spreading lies and making a big deal about something and trying to create a sensation?

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excalibur

Dec 05, 2015 05:07pm

another False Flag operation to demonize Muslims especially Pakistanis

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khalid

Dec 05, 2015 05:16pm

Haven't seen any picture of the two killers in the black uniform type of dress. If true, isn't this type of dress used by the ISIS?

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PHILOSOPHER (from Japan)

Dec 05, 2015 05:18pm

@Razak (from Kazak) Get your facts right..Pakistan has become an ally of the US in WAR-ON-TERROR right after 9/11 and paid alot of costs both human and infra-structures. We stand-up against terrorism first, see the 600 pages FATWA written by Dr. Tahir-ul-Qadri (Pakistani scholar). We are facing a-lot of internal terrorism due to our support to the US in war-on-terror. What else you people want from us?

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Sikander

Dec 05, 2015 05:40pm

@excalibur For God's sake accept reality. We have a huge problem of extremism in Pakistan and it will not go away by the likes of you burying your head in sand.

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zafar

Dec 05, 2015 06:08pm

Thats what we can expect from leaders.

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M. Saeed Awan

Dec 05, 2015 06:36pm

@ailly PTI?

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M. Saeed Awan

Dec 05, 2015 06:36pm

@Khalid Khan And you personally witness that?

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Shri

Dec 05, 2015 06:52pm

@Philosopher (from Japan) They shot the employees of the Department of Social Services for the physically disabled. This was at a pre Christmas celebration gathering

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PHILOSOPHER (from Japan)

Dec 05, 2015 07:28pm

@Shri Does it prove their involvement???

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sanaya

Dec 05, 2015 07:33pm

If she had links to lal masjid then believe me she would have chosen Pakistan to attack...and she could have easily targeted our such institutions etc...... its a lot easy to target Pakistan then US! and dont tell me that she left Pakistan, was at KSA, married there, was living in US for 2 years, had a green card most probably, had such hi-tech weapons and that too in a country that literally traps every damn phone call and internet post in it, pledged ISIS and had links with lal masjid and US was not aware of it??? i mean look at the crap.....In a country where being a Muslim is enough for them to watch your every single breath and this went unnoticed? Forget about conspiracy theories but does this makes any sense?

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Dec 05, 2015 08:03pm

This lal masjid is not a good news for Pakistan...the ppl occupying it must be eliminated at the earliest...they will only bring shame to the country

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Mohammad I. Sheikh

Dec 05, 2015 08:07pm

@RK Agree.

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Guest

Dec 05, 2015 08:35pm

Reality is this...clearly avenging on behalf of isis and mideast mess...their family members and friends accepting it then why you fools are not.

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M.Saeed

Dec 05, 2015 08:39pm

The PM had delayed his departure for a day, specifically to receive the message of the American President's from his representative. The message was with a photograph of Tashfeen with Maulana Abdul Aziz. In the light of this proof, it has become necessary to thoroughly investigate Lal Masjid affairs from its roots, especially after establishing its links with the San Bernardino shooting and take immediate appropriate action.

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Sami

Dec 05, 2015 08:40pm

I wouldn't be surprised if she did indeed have a connection with lal-masjid. After all she demonstrated the same kind of extremism, hatred and disregard for civilized values. I stunned how the lal-masjid is allowed to continue and exist, not just because of this incident, but because of the extremism and hate it continues to spew. The government is going to deny whether it has been notified about any connection, especially if they are going to move against them. They don't want to be seen reacting to this incident while having tolerated all the other ones in the past.

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Zub

Dec 05, 2015 08:50pm

I don't know why some people think it fabricated. So nothing happened? There were some ghosts who killed 14 people! Several people saw them shooting in day light. All are liars. Our problem is disowning everything.

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Mahmood

Dec 05, 2015 08:59pm

@Sarawan Raghwan Very aptly said. U.S is about to embark on a wider war in the Middle East, where Syria would be used as a stepping stone to eliminate all remaining threats to Israel i.e, Hizbollah in Lebanon and Iranian Nuclear sites - nuclear deal with Iran notwithstanding. U.S. is definitely worried about Russian bases in Syrian (remember Cuban Missile crises 1962). And the beneficiary is going to be Israel. And remember, all wars are based on deception. So this incident is just a side show to use it as an excuse to send in ground forces into Syrian with the pretext of eliminating IS. Never mind that U.S. alone has carried out more than 2500 airstrikes over Syria so far without making a dent? And now British, French and Germans are also getting involved

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Malik

Dec 05, 2015 09:20pm

Reason Pakistan is at the top of all the wrong lists? Read some of the comments here! Either living in fools paradise or terrorists. No one is doing anything to you, you are already doing enough yourself. As a Pakistani I'm disgusted by conspiracy views and constant denials...with people like these no wonder Pakistan is ground zero for terror in the world. Remember God helps those who help themselves...think of you have the ability...

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Pakistani

Dec 05, 2015 09:32pm

Soon boots on ground, get ready or keep denying.

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Fahim Khan

Dec 05, 2015 09:39pm

Becasue PM denied therefore now it will be believed as a true and correct report

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Sami

Dec 05, 2015 09:44pm

@Malik Mr. Malik, I could not have said it better.

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Ali-Isloo

Dec 05, 2015 09:53pm

@Gaz .. been to Lal musjid few times and I found nothing objectable. Looks like that there is no group against Lal masjid with some special agenda.

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Ali-Isloo

Dec 05, 2015 09:56pm

@sanaya .. please read. News about Lal-masjid link is false accusation.

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John

Dec 05, 2015 10:01pm

Simple solution. Stop immigration from Pakistan.

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Sami

Dec 05, 2015 10:10pm

@sanaya Wakeup sanaya! You can't just make this stuff up!

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Jag

Dec 06, 2015 12:24am

@PHILOSOPHER (from Japan) ....what proof you need? Their house is full of ammunition. They both found in a car with 1600 rounds of ammunition and with assault weapons. They shot at police injuring one. They ran away in a SUV which was their at the time of attack and he works at the same place. He was there first few mins when the party started and no where to be found during the attack?. Not sure what proof you need? Pictures of him and her shooting?

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From USA S.A. HYDER, Ph.D.

Dec 06, 2015 12:51am

@Philosopher (from Japan) You need to come out of your dream world and better do it quickly.

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Carol grayson

Dec 06, 2015 01:07am

Lal Masjid spokesperson has also issued statement denying any links to San Bernardino attackers claiming propaganda, advises media to take care when reporting.

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Ravi Vancouver

Dec 06, 2015 04:14am

@Taimoor Khan This attack is simple case of personal vendetta. Syed Farook's colleagues have no right to criticize his beard and his religion. Syed being devout Muslim could not bear this intolerance and he fought back . This is nothing to do with Islam or IS. America has not found involvement of any terror group

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Azhar Malik

Dec 06, 2015 07:22am

@Khalid Khan What do you mean by "PM even denied that he had a secret meeting with Modi". Has someone authentic, responsible and who is not a habitual liar has confirmed this meeting? Someone you are believing is an unreliable and proven dishonest person who has lost his credibility and fast losing his popularity because of his immature statements, baseless charges on others and constant mudslinging on opponents.

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PHILOSOPHER (from Japan)

Dec 06, 2015 12:07pm

@From USA S.A. HYDER, Ph.D. stay living in fools paradise..i have no objection whatsoever for your long lasting sleep. stay respectable stay blessed.

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Zack

Dec 07, 2015 11:32am

@sid Thank you Sid.. Musharraf is the Hero and he must be brought back up he govt

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