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| Facing heat, Pak leaders admit to supporting terror: Bilawal endorses Defence Minister’s ‘dirty work’ admission | | | Early Times Report
Jammu, May 2: Amid mounting pressure from India following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, Pakistani leaders are beginning to acknowledge the country’s historical support for terrorism. Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman and former Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has endorsed Defence Minister Khawaja Asif’s recent statement admitting to Pakistan’s past involvement in supporting terrorist groups.
Speaking to a UK-based news channel, Bilawal said, “As far as what the Defence Minister said, I don’t think it’s a secret that Pakistan has a past.” He acknowledged that the country has paid a heavy price for these actions, suffering repeated waves of extremism.
“Pakistan has supported terrorism. As a result, we have suffered—Pakistan has suffered. We have endured multiple waves of extremism. But through this suffering, we also learned our lessons. We have undertaken internal reforms to address this problem,” Bilawal said.
When asked about the assassination of his mother, former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, by a suicide bomber in 2007, Bilawal noted that Pakistanis have grown more aware and introspective following various terro Pakistani leaders are beginning to acknowledge the country’s historical support for terrorism.
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman and former Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has admitted to Pakistan’s past involvement in supporting terrorist groups.
He acknowledged that the country has paid a heavy price for these actions, suffering repeated waves of extremism.
Supporting terrorism is a part of our history. It is true—an unfortunate part of our past.
It is true—an unfortunate part of our past,” he remarked.
Bilawal, who now leads the PPP as part of Pakistan’s ruling coalition, was 19 when his mother was killed in Rawalpindi by a 15-year-old suicide bomber. Her assassination remains one of the most high-profile terror attacks in Pakistan’s history.
Bilawal’s remarks came days after Defence Minister Khawaja Asif publicly acknowledged Pakistan’s role in backing terrorist groups. In the same UK news interview, Asif said:
“Well, we have been doing this dirty work for the United States for about three decades—and the West, including Britain.” He went on to describe Pakistan’s involvement as “a mistake” that has cost the country dearly.
“If we had not joined the war against the Soviet Union, and later the post-9/11 war, Pakistan’s track record would have remained unimpeachable,” Asif claimed, further emphasizing the long-term fallout of Pakistan’s past strategic choices.
Both leaders’ statements have drawn international attention for their rare candor, especially in light of renewed scrutiny from India following recent terror incidents. |
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