Amid spiralling tensions between India and Pakistan in the aftermath of the deadly Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 civilian lives&mdash;mostly tourists&mdash;Pakistan&rsquo;s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif made startling remarks in an interview with British news channel Sky News, indirectly acknowledging Pakistan&rsquo;s past involvement in supporting terrorism.
Responding to a pointed question about Pakistan&rsquo;s long-standing history of harbouring and funding terror outfits, Asif said, &ldquo;We have been doing this dirty work for the United States for about three decades&mdash;and the West, including Britain.&rdquo; He added, &ldquo;That was a mistake, and we suffer for that.&rdquo;
The comments, interpreted by many as a veiled admission of Pakistan&rsquo;s role in sponsoring terror during the Cold War and post-9/11 period, come at a time when Islamabad is facing intense diplomatic and strategic pressure from New Delhi following the April 22 attack in the scenic Baisaran meadow of Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir.
The Resistance Front (TRF), believed to be a proxy of Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba, is suspected to be behind the attack. While there has been no official confirmation, intelligence sources suggest the involvement of top LeT commander Saifullah Kasuri alias Khalid as the possible mastermind.
In the same interview, Asif warned that the deteriorating situation could escalate into a full-scale conflict. &ldquo;The worsening ties might lead to an all-out India-Pakistan war,&rdquo; he said, in what is being viewed as a deeply concerning escalation in rhetoric.
India has already responded with a series of strong measures. Following a high-level Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 23, India shut down the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Attari, suspended the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan, and downgraded diplomatic ties.
Islamabad swiftly denounced India&rsquo;s suspension of the water-sharing treaty, calling it a &ldquo;violation&rdquo; and warning that the treaty is essential for the survival of over 240 million Pakistanis.
Meanwhile, both countries have placed their militaries on high alert, amid widespread speculation that India may carry out punitive strikes in retaliation.
The international community is watching closely. UN Secretary-General Ant&oacute;nio Guterres, through his spokesperson, condemned the Pahalgam terror attack and urged both India and Pakistan to show &ldquo;maximum restraint.&rdquo;
&ldquo;The Secretary-General is following the situation very closely and with great concern,&rdquo; UN spokesperson St&eacute;phane Dujarric said. &ldquo;He very much appeals to both governments to ensure that the situation does not deteriorate further.&rdquo;
As regional tensions mount, observers warn that the next few days will be crucial in determining whether diplomacy or confrontation will shape the path forward for South Asia&rsquo;s nuclear-armed neighbours.
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Khawaja Asif deflects terrorism allegations amid India-Pak tensions post-Pahalgam attack

Pak Defence Min Admits Pak Does ‘Dirty Work’

Khawaja Asif deflects terrorism allegations amid India-Pak tensions post-Pahalgam attack

April 25, 2025 | 18:21 IST