In a candid admission that echoes recent remarks by Pakistan’s defence minister, former foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto acknowledged his country’s troubled history with terrorism. Speaking to Sky News, Bilawal Bhutto admitted that Pakistan has a past involving extremist elements, stating that the country paid a heavy price but has since made efforts to reform and move forward. His remarks came days after Defence Minister Khwaja Asif openly confessed to Pakistan’s support and funding of terror groups during previous geopolitical conflicts.
Responding to a question about Khwaja Asif’s comments, Bilawal Bhutto said, “I don’t think it is a secret that Pakistan has a past.” He acknowledged that the nation had gone through multiple waves of extremism as a result of its earlier actions. Stressing that the consequences were severe, he added, “We have suffered, Pakistan has suffered.” He also mentioned that Pakistan had learned from these painful experiences and initiated internal reforms to address the issue.
In the interview, Bilawal Bhutto was clear in distinguishing Pakistan’s past from its present. “It is not something that we are partaking in today,” he said. Bilawal Bhutto stated that the country’s historical involvement in such activities was an unfortunate chapter, but no longer reflects Pakistan’s current stance. He emphasised that these past actions should be seen as lessons that prompted systemic reforms within the country.
Earlier, Defence Minister Khwaja Asif made headlines when he openly admitted that Pakistan had supported terrorist organisations in the past, largely under Western influence. In a striking statement, he said, “We have been doing this dirty work for the United States for about three decades.” Referring to Pakistan’s role during the Cold War and post-9/11 era, he said the country suffered because of those decisions, claiming, “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.”
These confessions have triggered reactions across the political spectrum, with Indian leaders also taking note. BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya shared the news on X (formerly Twitter), posting a screenshot with the caption, “The fear is palpable.” The statement highlights the political implications of these remarks in the broader South Asian context.
Bilawal Bhutto’s and Khwaja Asif’s statements mark rare public acknowledgments from top Pakistani leaders about the nation’s prior involvement in backing extremist forces, raising serious global and regional discussions about accountability and change.
