Pak defence minister on funding terrorist groups
Pakistan’s defence minister Khawaja Asif said during an interview with Sky News that Islamabad has been doing “dirty work for the United States” for three decades when asked about having a long history of backing, supporting, training and funding terrorists organisations.
The statement came amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan following a terrorist attack that left 26 tourists dead in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam. The terrorists have been linked to Pakistan-based organisations.
Sky News (@SkyYaldaHakim): “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 organizations?”
Pakistan Def. Minister: “Well, we have been doing this dirty work for United States for 3… pic.twitter.com/sv5TRkCgCZ
— Drop Site (@DropSiteNews) April 24, 2025
‘All-out war between India-Pakistan may start’: Asif
Asif also added that an “all-out war” between India and Pakistan may start and the world should be “worried” about the prospect of a full-scale conflict involving the two nations with nuclear weapons.
Asif also reiterated baseless claims circulating in Pakistan, suggesting India “staged” the shootings in a “false flag” operation. Islamabad has time and again made bizarre claims without providing valid evidence, while continuing to harbour terrorists.
India announced punitive measures, including the suspension of a key water-sharing treaty and closure of the main land border crossing in Kashmir. In a tit-for-tat action, Pakistan also responded with similar moves, also claimed that it will suspend Simla Agreement.
He said his military was “prepared for any eventuality” amid escalating tensions on both sides. However, he said he hoped that the dispute could be resolved through negotiations.
While speaking during the interview, he said, “We will measure our response to whatever is initiated by India. It would be a measured response.”
“If there is an all-out attack or something like that, then obviously there will be an all-out war,” he added.
On being asked about the significance of a possible conflict globally, he said, “Yes, I think so. The clash between two nuclear powers is always worrisome. If things get wrong, there could be a tragic outcome of this confrontation.”
When Imran Khan said ‘30,000 to 40,000’ terrorists were inhis country
India’s claims that Pakistan sponsors terrorism were verified when the former Pakistan prime minister in 2019 admitted at an event that about “30,000 to 40,000” terrorists who had trained and fought in “some part of Afghanistan or Kashmir” were in his country. India has asserted that terror attacks in India originate from groups operating from Pakistani soil.
“Until we came into power, the governments did not have the political will, because when you talk about militant groups, we still have about 30,000-40,000 armed people who have been trained and fought in some part of Afghanistan or Kashmir,” Khan had said.
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