Islamabad, Apr 25 (UNI) In a direct contradiction of its own stance on terrorism, Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khwaja Asif has openly admitted Islamabad’s role in "doing the US’ dirty work for three decades" through its close links with terrorist organisations.
While Pakistan has been denying its culpability in the heinous Pahalgam attack which left 26 tourists dead, Asif’s statement has served to only further weaken Islamabad’s plea, and undo the country’s already very poor reputation in international circles regarding its role in supporting terrorist entities.
In a viral clip on X (formerly Twitter) of his interview on Sky News, the Pakistani Defence Minister is asked by the interviewer: "You do admit that Pakistan has had a long history of backing, and supporting and training, and funding these terrorist organisations?"
To which Asif admits Islamabad's full support for terrorism, saying "We have been doing this dirty work for the United States and the West, including Britain, for about three decades.”
Calling the state support to terror groups a mistake, he added "That was a mistake, and we suffered for that... Pakistan's record would have been unquestionable if we had not entered the fight against the Soviet Union and then the war following 9/11. The chickens have obviously gone home to roost, and there is no one else to blame but Pakistan.”
Despite open evidence, Pakistan has denied all role in supporting terrorism, instead calling itself a "victim" in a show of hypocrisy. The country’s officials have termed the Pahalgam terror attack, in which Pakistan's link has been clearly seen, as a "false flag operation" by India, to use the incident as a pretext for attacking Pakistan.
In response to the terror attack, New Delhi has suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, begun deporting Pakistanis in India, declared Pakistani military advisors to its High Commission in New Delhi persona non grata and asked them to leave, recalled its own military advisors at its High Commission in Islamabad, thinned its diplomatic mission, and closed the Attari-Wagah border.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his public remarks after the deadly attack vowed vengeance for the incident, saying that India will track down and bring all perpetrators to justice.
UNI ANV RN