'Pakistan has been doing this dirty work for three decades'; Defence Minister Khawaja Asif admits supporting terrorism

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has openly admitted that Pakistan has been supporting terrorism for years. The Pakistani minister's revelation was made in an interview with UK-based Sky News.

To the question "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 organisations?" by Sky News presenter Yalda Hakim, Minister Khawaja Asif responded that “We have been doing this dirty work for the United States for about three decades... and the West, including Britain... That was a mistake, and we suffered for that, and that is why you are saying this to me." The minister admitted this in the context of the Pahalgam terror attack.

He also criticised the US for blaming Pakistan for funding terror groups. "It was convenient for the big powers to blame Pakistan, which 'fought' the wars on their side in the 80s against the Soviet Union. 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. All these terrorists of today were whining and dining in Washington. And then came the 9/11 attacks. Again, the same situation was repeated. I think our governments then made a mistake," Khawaja added. He also accused the US of using terrorist groups, including the Taliban, for its own purposes.

Asif's remarks come as the diplomatic war between India and Pakistan intensifies following the Pahalgam terror attack. India has long accused Pakistan of supporting and funding terrorist activities across the border.