Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khwaja Muhammad Asif has admitted that the country supported and funded terrorist groups on behalf of the United States and its allies over the past several decades, describing it as “dirty work” done at the behest of Western powers.
Speaking to Sky News during an interview, Asif was asked if Pakistan had a history of backing and financing terrorist organizations. He responded, “We have been doing this dirty work for the US for the past three decades, including for the West and the United Kingdom.”
He went on to call those actions a “mistake” and claimed Pakistan suffered because of its involvement. According to Asif, Islamabad’s global image would have remained “unimpeachable” had it not supported the US during the Soviet-Afghan conflict or the post-9/11 war against the Taliban.
Historical role in proxy wars under scrutiny
Pakistan played a key role in the Cold War-era Soviet-Afghan war, hosting and training armed militants supported by the United States to combat Soviet forces. Its proximity to Afghanistan and porous border made it a crucial player in what became a protracted proxy war.
Following the 9/11 attacks, the country again found itself aligned with US-led forces during the invasion of Afghanistan, assisting in the campaign to dismantle the Taliban and al-Qaeda networks. However, these efforts have long drawn criticism over Pakistan’s alleged double role — supporting US missions while harboring militants on its own soil.
Admission follows deadly terrorist attack in Kashmir
Asif’s comments come shortly after a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, where 26 civilians were gunned down while picnicking in the Baisaran valley. The attack has been claimed by The Resistance Front (TRF), widely considered a front group for Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT)—a Pakistan-based terror organization founded by Hafiz Saeed, the alleged mastermind of the 2008 Mumbai attacks.
Indian intelligence sources told NDTV that the assault was executed by a seasoned group affiliated with LeT. The attackers reportedly included foreign fighters, local militants, and logistical support from ground-level operatives in Kashmir. Hafiz Saeed is believed to have coordinated the attack through his network.
Pattern of attacks raises red flags
The TRF has been linked to several recent incidents in the region. In October 2024, four people — including two Indian Army personnel — were killed in Boota Pathri. That same month, six tunnel construction workers and a doctor were murdered in a targeted shooting in Sonamarg.
Hashim Musa, one of the alleged masterminds of the Pahalgam massacre, is suspected to have played a role in both previous attacks.
Security analysts say the continuing presence of such groups, supported by cross-border networks, underscores the ongoing threat posed by state-backed terrorism in South Asia.
