Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khwaja Asif has openly admitted that the country once supported terrorist groups, saying it was part of “dirty work” they did for powerful Western countries like the United States and the United Kingdom. He called this a mistake that has badly hurt Pakistan in the long run.
During an interview with Sky News, aired recently, journalist Yalda Hakim questioned Asif about Pakistan’s history with terrorism, especially after a recent attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, where 26 people, mostly tourists, lost their lives. She asked, “You do admit, sir, that Pakistan has had a long history of backing and supporting and training and funding these terrorist organisations?”
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In response, Asif said, “Well, we have been doing this dirty work for the United States for about three decades, you know, and the West, including Britain. That was a mistake, and we suffered from that, and that is why you are saying this to me.” He explained that this all started back in the 1980s when Pakistan joined the United States in fighting against the Soviet Union in Afghanistan. After that, Pakistan again stood by the West during the War on Terror after the 9/11 attacks. Asif said these decisions led to serious problems for Pakistan in the years that followed.
He went on to say that big powers like the US and the UK find it easy to blame Pakistan for all the trouble in the region now. “It is very convenient for… the big powers to blame Pakistan for whatever is happening in this region. When we were fighting the war on their side way back in the 80s against the Soviet Union, all these terrorists of today, they were wining and dining in Washington.” Asif made it clear that Pakistan was used as a proxy by the West and is now paying the price for that.
Asif also said that if Pakistan had stayed out of these wars, especially the ones against the Soviets and the one after 9/11, then the country would not have such a troubled image today. “If we hadn’t joined those wars,” he explained, “our record would have been unimpeachable.”
Response to Attack
The Sky News interview also focused on the deadly attack that took place earlier this week in Pahalgam, located in Indian-administered Kashmir. In this attack, 26 people died in a gunfire incident. The Resistance Front (TRF), a group believed to be linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), claimed they were behind the assault. LeT is a banned terrorist group that has long been accused of operating from inside Pakistan.
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When asked about TRF and its links to LeT, Khwaja Asif denied that Lashkar-e-Taiba still exists in Pakistan. He said, “Lashkar-e-Taiba doesn’t exist in Pakistan anymore. It is extinct. It is extinct… if the parent organisation does not exist, how can the offshoot take birth here?” His comments clearly rejected any claims that the group is still active within Pakistan.
The interview also brought up the possibility of tensions rising between India and Pakistan after the attack. Asif stated that Pakistan would give a “measured response” if India launched a military move. However, he warned that if India started a full-blown attack, it could turn into an all-out war. His words showed that Pakistan was ready to defend itself but also hoped to avoid a bigger conflict.
This attack in Pahalgam has reminded many people of the Pulwama attack in 2019, where a suicide bomber killed over 40 Indian paramilitary personnel. Both attacks have led to more anger and mistrust between India and Pakistan. With TRF taking responsibility for the Pahalgam assault and India blaming Pakistan for sheltering such groups, the situation remains tense.
