Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif’s explosive admission during an international interview has sent shockwaves through diplomatic and security circles, especially in India, which has long accused Islamabad of nurturing terrorism. In a moment of rare—and some argue reckless—candor, Asif appeared to acknowledge Pakistan's three-decade-long involvement in supporting terrorism, albeit under the guise of proxy wars backed by the West.
Key Admission and Deflection
Speaking to journalist Yalda Hakim, Asif said, "We have been doing this dirty work for the US and the West, including Britain, for three decades." While he framed this as Pakistan being a tool of Western interests during the Cold War and post-9/11 era, the statement indirectly vindicates India’s consistent claims at international forums that Pakistan has functioned as a state sponsor of terrorism.
Attempting to justify the actions, Asif called them a “mistake”, saying Pakistan has "suffered" as a result and would have had a clean track record had it not involved itself in the Soviet-Afghan war and the U.S.-led invasion of Afghanistan.
Timing and Implications
This controversial admission comes days after the horrific Pahalgam massacre, in which 26 Indian tourists were killed, prompting New Delhi to hold Pakistan indirectly accountable, especially after the Resistance Front (TRF)—a known Lashkar-e-Taiba offshoot—claimed responsibility.
India’s fury is compounded by Asif’s brazen denial of TRF's existence and his claim that Lashkar-e-Taiba “does not exist anymore,” a statement widely dismissed as disingenuous by global security experts and seen as an attempt to sidestep responsibility.
Pakistan’s Counter-Narrative: Deflection and Threat
In a sharp pivot, Asif tried to deflect blame back onto India, claiming the Pahalgam terror attack was staged by New Delhi to “create a crisis in the region”—a claim that lacks evidence and has been viewed by many as classic deflection tactics.
What has alarmed observers even more is Asif’s threat of “all-out war” should India conduct retaliatory military action, similar to the Balakot airstrikes in 2019. He ominously warned, “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’s Hardline Response
India, meanwhile, has ramped up diplomatic and strategic pressure on Islamabad:
-
Suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, which governs river sharing between the two nations.
-
Downgrading of diplomatic ties, including recalling envoys.
-
Cancellation of all visas for Pakistani citizens, effectively cutting off people-to-people contact.
-
Strong declarations from Prime Minister Modi vowing to “identify, trace, and punish” every terrorist and their backers.
These moves signal that India is viewing the Pahalgam attack not as an isolated incident but as a tipping point, and is considering broader strategic recalibrations, including military options, amid heightened readiness across the Army, Air Force, and Navy.
Strategic and Diplomatic Fallout
Khawaja Asif’s remarks may have:
-
International ramifications, potentially isolating Pakistan further in forums like the FATF (Financial Action Task Force) and the UN Security Council.
-
Offered India diplomatic ammunition to counter Pakistan's denial of involvement in terrorism.
-
Undermined Pakistan’s global narrative that it is merely a victim of terrorism.
Conclusion: A Dangerous Brinkmanship
As tensions spiral following both the Pahalgam massacre and Pakistan’s alarming admissions, South Asia finds itself at a dangerous crossroads. With military drills underway, diplomatic ties severed, and nuclear-armed neighbors issuing threats, the region teeters on the edge of escalation.
Whether this moment leads to measured diplomacy or a flashpoint confrontation will depend on how both nations—and global powers—navigate the increasingly volatile terrain ahead.
