Watch: Pakistan Defence Minister Admits To Islamabad Backing Terrorists, ‘Doing Dirty Work For…

In a controversial statement, Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif admitted that the country had been supporting and training terrorist organisations for the last three decades, but placed the blame on the United States and the West for this alleged involvement. In an interview with Sky News, journalist Yalda Hakim confronted Asif about Pakistan’s history of backing terrorist groups. Asif replied, “We have been doing this dirty work for the United States for three decades and the West, including Britain.”

When asked if this could be considered his justification for Pakistan’s actions, Asif expressed regret, calling it a “mistake”. He went on to say, “If we had not joined the war against the Soviet Union and later on the war after 9/11, Pakistan’s track record was unimpeachable.”

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

The Defence Minister’s statement supports India’s longstanding stance on Pakistan’s alleged role in backing terrorism. Asif’s comments come amid tensions following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which resulted in the deaths of 26 tourists. India has held Pakistan indirectly responsible for the attack, which is believed to have been carried out by a group with links to terrorist organisations.

Asif’s remarks further highlighted Pakistan’s strategic decisions during the Cold War and after the September 11, 2001 terror attacks. Pakistan had supported the US in its war against the Soviet Union and later in the fight against Al-Qaeda. According to Asif, the US had used terrorist groups as “proxies” during its involvement in Afghanistan.

Pakistan’s Defence Minister Denies LeT’s Existence, Threatens ‘All-Out War’ With India

Despite his earlier admission, Asif denied the existence of Lashkar-e-Taiba, a terrorist group that has been accused of carrying out several high-profile attacks, including the 2008 Mumbai attacks. He claimed, “Our government has condemned it [the Pahalgam attack] categorically…Pakistan has been the victim of terrorism for decades…Lashkar is a name from the past, it is totally defunct. It does not exist… ”

He highlighted the pattern of attacks in Jammu and Kashmir coinciding with US politicians’ visits while claiming that the whole scenario was “staged”.

Pakistan’s defence minister has told Sky News that a row over a mass shooting in Kashmir could lead to an “all-out war”

Speaking to @SkyYaldaHakim, Khawaja Asif suggested India had “staged” the shooting.

Full interview: https://t.co/jvth4a0Umv pic.twitter.com/jVhFmjN4ij

— Sky News (@SkyNews) April 24, 2025

The Pakistan Defence Minister also responded to concerns about possible military retaliation from India. When asked about the potential for another airstrike like the Balakot airstrike that followed the 2019 Pulwama attack, Asif warned of an “all-out war”. He emphasised, “If there is an all-out attack or something like that, then obviously there will be an all-out war… The clash between two nuclear powers is always worrisome.”

India has already taken punitive diplomatic measures in response to the Pahalgam attack, including suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, downgrading diplomatic relations, and halting visas for Pakistani nationals. In retaliation, Pakistan has implemented similar measures.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured the country that those responsible for the terror attack, including their backers, would be “identified, traced, and punished.” Modi stressed that the time had come to eliminate terrorism’s remaining strongholds, declaring that the willpower of 140 crore Indians would break the backbone of the perpetrators.