WATCH: 'Doing this dirty work for the last three decades for...', Pak Defence Minister makes SHOCKING claim of training terrorists
In a stunning revelation to international media, Pakistan's Defence Minister, Khawaja Asif, openly acknowledged that his country had been supporting, training, and funding terrorist groups for the past three decades. Asif made this admission during an interview with Sky News journalist Yalda Hakim, who questioned him about the rising tensions between India and Pakistan following a deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, where 26 people, mostly Indian tourists, were killed.
As the attack was linked to cross-border elements, India responded by downgrading diplomatic ties with Pakistan and suspending the Indus Water Treaty. In retaliation, Pakistan canceled visas for Indian nationals and put the Simla Agreement on hold.
When asked by Hakim if Pakistan had a history of supporting and funding terrorist organisations, Asif admitted, without hesitation, that it was true. 'Yes, we have been doing this dirty work for America and the West, including Britain, for the last three decades.'
Sky News (@SkyYaldaHakim): 'But you do admit, you do admit sir, that Pakistan has had a long history of backing and supporting and training and funding these terrorist organizations?'
Pakistan Def. Minister: 'Well, we have been doing this dirty work for United States for 3… pic.twitter.com/sv5TRkCgCZ
— Drop Site (@DropSiteNews) April 24, 2025
During the interview, Khawaja Asif also made a controversial claim, stating that Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) no longer exists. He also denied having any knowledge of The Resistance Front, a group linked to LeT that claimed responsibility for the Pahalgam terrorist attack. Asif dismissed Lashkar as an outdated name, saying, 'Lashkar is an old name. It does not exist.'
In response to these developments, India announced a series of strong retaliatory measures against Pakistan. These included the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, the expulsion of Pakistani military attaches, and the immediate closure of the Attari land-transit post.
Pakistan has rejected India's actions, particularly the suspension of the water-sharing agreement, warning that any effort to divert Pakistan's share of water under the treaty would be considered an 'act of war.' The Pakistani government stated that such actions would be seen as a violation of the rights of lower riparian countries.
In further diplomatic moves, India revoked all visas granted to Pakistani nationals from April 27 onward and issued a warning for Indian nationals in Pakistan to return to India as soon as possible. Additionally, visa services for Pakistani nationals were suspended immediately in retaliation for the terrorist attack.
The attack, which is considered one of the worst terrorist strikes against Indian civilians since the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, sparked widespread outrage across the country. In the face of national anger, Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowed to relentlessly pursue the attackers. He declared that the perpetrators of the Pahalgam attack would be pursued 'to the ends of the earth' and promised to 'identify, track, and punish every terrorist and their backers.' In a rally in Madhubani, Bihar, Modi affirmed that terrorism would not break India's spirit.
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