Pakistani Defense Minister: Terrorism is a result of US policies in the region

Pakistan’s Defense Minister stated that terrorism in the region stems from U.S. policies, which have supported militant groups for decades.

Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Asif recently reiterated his country’s stance on terrorism, acknowledging past support for terror groups. In a statement, Asif stressed that the roots of terrorism in the region can be traced back decades to Western policies, particularly those of the United States. He claimed that Pakistan had long been involved in a “dirty game” on behalf of the West, citing decades of collaboration with the U.S. and the U.K. in supporting terrorism.

Asif’s remarks come after previous admissions on Pakistani involvement in supporting terror groups during the Soviet-Afghanistan war and beyond. He confirmed that Pakistan had been complicit in facilitating terrorist activities for Western powers, asserting that Pakistan had engaged in this “dirty work” for over three decades, largely driven by U.S. interests in countering Soviet influence in the region.

The defense minister also discussed India’s accusations against Pakistan. He pointed out that while Pakistan was often blamed for regional issues, it had no involvement in the accusations leveled by India. Despite the tension, Asif stressed that Pakistan did not want to escalate the conflict, emphasizing that Islamabad had no desire to take the initiative in any military action.

In an earlier interview with Sky News, Asif went further to criticize Western policies. He underscored that U.S. and British support for terrorist groups had destabilized the region. His comments were part of an ongoing critique of Western interventions in the region, where Pakistan had historically been used as a strategic ally in the fight against the Soviet Union, only to face the consequences of those same policies.

Reports indicated that Pakistan supported terrorism and insurgent groups in Afghanistan both before and after the Soviet withdrawal, continuing even after 2001 with U.S. and NATO presence.

Asif also targeted India’s alleged role in supporting terrorism against Pakistan. He claimed that India was involved in training and equipping terrorists in Afghanistan, particularly through its consulates in the country. According to Asif, Pakistan had credible intelligence indicating that India was directly supplying weapons and explosives to groups like TTP to target key Pakistani cities.

Asif’s remarks reflect deep-rooted geopolitical tensions in South Asia, particularly the ongoing rivalry between Pakistan and India, and the complex role the West has played in the region’s instability. These historical dynamics, shaped by U.S. and U.K. actions during the Cold War, continue to influence current relationships and conflicts.

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