Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif's Candid Admission on Terrorism, Says 'We Are Doing THIS Dirty Work on Behalf of....

In a startling and unusually candid interview with Sky News, Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif admitted that Pakistan had carried out what he called the “dirty work” of funding and supporting terrorist groups operating in Kashmir and Afghanistan — allegedly on behalf of the United States and Western powers — for nearly three decades. 

In intv on Sky News Pakistan Defence Minister Asif says Pakistan did the "dirty work" of funding terrorist groups (Kashmir/Afghanistan) for 3 decades, on behalf of US and the West pic.twitter.com/mM2epmzyzx

— Suhasini Haidar (@suhasinih) April 25, 2025

The explosive statement has reignited global concerns over Pakistan’s long-denied role in fostering cross-border terrorism.

“For 30 years, we did the dirty work. We funded and supported those groups, in Kashmir and Afghanistan, but we weren’t doing it alone. We were doing it on behalf of the US and the West,” Asif said during the televised interview.

The remark is being seen as a rare acknowledgment of Pakistan’s long-speculated backing of militant groups, often accused of carrying out attacks in India and Afghanistan. While Islamabad has previously denied such allegations, Asif’s words may add weight to longstanding accusations made by international observers and neighbouring countries.

Implications and Reactions

The Indian government is yet to issue an official response, but diplomatic sources suggest the statement could be used as evidence in international forums to further isolate Pakistan on the issue of terrorism sponsorship.

In India, strategic and defence analysts have called Asif’s comment a “confessional bombshell,” likely to impact regional diplomacy and global counterterrorism narratives.

“It’s not just an admission — it’s an indictment,” said a senior Indian security expert. “If Pakistan’s own Defence Minister is saying this on record, the world can no longer pretend it didn’t know.”

Human rights activists and victims of terrorism are also demanding accountability, stating that Pakistan cannot simply distance itself from decades of bloodshed by calling it a job “done for others.”

A Diplomatic Headache for Pakistan

Asif’s statement could pose a major diplomatic challenge for Islamabad, particularly as it seeks international support to stabilize its struggling economy and navigate rising tensions with India. It also risks damaging Pakistan’s credibility in ongoing dialogues with the West, where trust and transparency are critical to bilateral cooperation.

As calls for accountability grow louder, all eyes will now be on how both Pakistan’s allies and adversaries respond to this shocking admission.