Former Pakistani Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto admitted to the country’s “past” with terror organisations, saying that “it is not a secret”. He also acknowledged Pakistan’s history with extremism, claiming the country has suffered as a result of its involvement with terror operatives and has since undertaking efforts .
Bhutto’s admission comes after similar remarks by Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khwaja Asif, who admitted Islamabad’s role in backing and funding terrorist groups.
Seaking to Sky News’s Yalda Hakim on Thursday, Bhutto said: “As far as what the defence minister said, I don’t think it is a secret that Pakistan has a past… As a result, we have suffered, Pakistan has suffered. We have gone through wave after wave of extremism. But as a result of what we suffered, we also learned our lessons. We have gone through internal reforms to address this problem…”
He further stressed that while Pakistan’s past with extremism cannot be denied, it is something the country is not associated with now.
“As far as Pakistan’s history is concerned, it is history and it is not something that we are partaking in today. It is true that it is an unfortunate part of our history,” Bhutto further said as he highlighted Pakistan’s efforts in addressing the issue of terrorism.
Bhutto, who also addressed a rally in Mirpur Khas on Thursday, claimed that Pakistan wanted peace but was “ready for war” if provoked by India.
“Pakistan is a peaceful country, and Islam is a peaceful religion. We do not want war, but if someone attacks our Sindhu, then they should be ready for war. We don’t beat the drums of war, but if provoked, the roar of a united Pakistan will be deafening,” he said in the rally.
‘We Have Been Doing This Dirty Work’
A few days ago, Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khwaja Asif, during a conversation with Sky News’s Yalda Hakim, was asked: “But you do admit, you do admit, sir, that Pakistan has had a long history of backing and supporting and training and funding these terrorist organisations?”
To this, Khwaja Asif replied: “We have been doing this dirty work for the United States for about three decades… and the West, including Britain… That was a mistake, and we suffered for that, and that is why you are saying this to me. If we had not joined the war against the Soviet Union and later on the war after 9/11, Pakistan’s track record was unimpeachable.” This video clip went viral.
These remarks by Pakistan’s leaders come amid the escalating tensions following the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, which killed 26 people, mostly tourists.
(With inputs from news agency ANI)
