Desk : Pakistan, already facing global scrutiny over its alleged support for terrorism, is likely to face increased pressure after a controversial admission by its Defence Minister Khawaja Asif. In a recent interview, Asif openly acknowledged that Pakistan has been harboring terrorists—a statement that has put the country under further spotlight, especially in the wake of the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir.
During the media interview, Asif was asked whether Pakistan has historically been involved in funding and training terrorist organizations. He responded, “We have been doing this dirty work for three decades—for the West, including the U.S. and the U.K. That was a mistake, and we are suffering the consequences.”
According to reports, Asif also denied the existence of the terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba and claimed he had no knowledge about TRF (The Resistance Front), stating, “Lashkar is an old name. It doesn’t exist anymore.”
Pakistan’s Announcement
On Thursday, Pakistan escalated tensions further by suspending the Shimla Agreement and other bilateral accords with India. It also halted all forms of trade and closed its airspace to Indian airlines. Moreover, it warned that any attempt to alter or stop the water flow under the Indus Waters Treaty would be considered an act of war.
Pakistan also shut down the Wagah border checkpoint, suspended all visas issued to Indian nationals under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES), and ordered Indian military advisers at the High Commission to return.
Pahalgam Attack
On April 22, terrorists opened fire on innocent tourists in Pahalgam, resulting in the death of 26 people. The attack was claimed by TRF, which is reportedly linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba. Following this, a high-level meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi was held, where several critical decisions were made, including the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty.
This sequence of events is likely to intensify diplomatic tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors, with global repercussions.