After defence minister, Bilawal Bhutto admits to Pakistan’s ties with terror
Bhutto said that his Pakistan's association with terrorism is as an “unfortunate part" of its history adding that the country has now reformed itself
Former Pakistani foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto has publicly admitted his country’s association and support for terrorist entities and activities days after Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khwaja Asif made a similar confession in an interview.
‘Pakistan's past not a secret'
Speaking to Sky News’ Yalda Hakim on Thursday (May 1), Bhutto admitted that Pakistan had a history of association with terrorism. He also said that although his country suffered because of it, it has now reformed itself.
"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...,” said Bhutto as quoted by news agency ANI.
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'Unfortunate part of our history'
Addressing a rally in Mirpur Khas on Thursday, Bhutto described his country’s association with terrorism as an “unfortunate part of our history”. He also said that now it was just Pakistan’s history and “not something that we are partaking in today.”
He continued in a tone similar to Pakistan’s current sabre rattling following the Pahalgam terror attack that left 26 people dead and said that although Pakistan was a peaceful country, it would not back down from a war if faced with external aggression.
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'Won't back down from war'
"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.
Recently, Pakistan's Defence Minister Khwaja Asif, in conversation with Sky News's Yalda Hakim, also made a similar admission. To Hakim’s question "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?" Asif’s response was in the affirmative.
"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,” said Asif.