Doing Dirty Work for US for Three Decades – Pakistan Defence Minister
In a shocking revelation that has sent ripples across South Asia and beyond, Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif admitted during an interview with Sky News that Pakistan has been “doing dirty work for the United States and the West, including Britain, for three decades.”
The statement, made in the context of escalating tensions with India following a deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, has reignited debates about Pakistan’s historical role in supporting terrorism, its complex relationship with the United States, and its strained ties with India.
Indian officials, while yet to formally respond, are likely to seize on Asif’s admission as vindication of New Delhi’s long-standing allegations against Islamabad.
Context of the Statement
The controversial remarks came during an interview with Sky News presenter Yalda Hakim on April 25, 2025, days after a devastating terror attack in Pahalgam, a popular tourist destination in Jammu andierte Kashmir, claimed 26 lives.
The attack, one of the deadliest in recent years, prompted India to take severe diplomatic measures, including suspending the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, closing the Attari Integrated Check Post, and expelling Pakistani military attaches.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowed to pursue the perpetrators “to the ends of the earth,” signaling a robust response to what India alleges is Pakistan-backed terrorism.
When pressed by Hakim on Pakistan’s long history of “backing, supporting, training, and funding terrorist organizations,”
Asif responded candidly: “Well, we have been doing this dirty work for the United States for about three decades, you know, and the West, including Britain… That was a mistake, and we suffered for that.”
He went on to argue that Pakistan’s involvement in the U.S.-led wars against the Soviet Union in the 1980s and the post-9/11 “War on Terror” had tarnished its record, 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.”
Asif’s admission appeared to be an attempt to deflect blame for Pakistan’s role in fostering terrorism by framing it as a consequence of its alliance with the West.
However, the statement has backfired, drawing sharp criticism domestically and internationally, with many viewing it as a rare public acknowledgment of Pakistan’s complicity in supporting militant groups.
What Was Asif Trying to Say?
Asif’s remarks seem to serve multiple purposes. First, they reflect Pakistan’s frustration with being scapegoated for regional instability while highlighting its role as a frontline state in U.S.-led geopolitical strategies.
By invoking the Soviet-Afghan War and the War on Terror, Asif suggested that Pakistan’s support for militant groups was not entirely of its own making but rather a byproduct of Western directives.
During the 1980s, Pakistan, with U.S. and Saudi backing, trained and armed Afghan mujahideen to counter Soviet forces, a policy that gave rise to groups like the Taliban.
Similarly, post-9/11, Pakistan’s cooperation with the U.S. in the War on Terror involved complex dealings with militant groups, some of which later turned against Islamabad.
Second, Asif’s statement was likely aimed at a domestic audience, where anti-American sentiment runs deep. By framing Pakistan’s actions as “dirty work” for the U.S., he sought to deflect criticism from Pakistan’s military and intelligence establishment, which have long been accused of nurturing terrorist groups to maintain strategic influence in Afghanistan and counter India.
The admission, however, risks further damaging Pakistan’s international credibility, especially at a time when it is grappling with economic crises and seeking Western aid.
Finally, Asif’s remarks were a response to India’s accusations of Pakistani involvement in the Pahalgam attack. While denying any link to the incident and claiming it was a “false flag operation” orchestrated by India, Asif’s admission inadvertently lent credence to India’s narrative that Pakistan has historically supported terrorism.
Pakistan’s Relationship with the U.S. Over Three Decades
Pakistan’s relationship with the United States over the past three decades has been a rollercoaster of strategic partnerships, mutual distrust, and periodic ruptures.
During the 1980s, Pakistan was a key U.S. ally in the Cold War, serving as a conduit for arms and funds to Afghan mujahideen fighting Soviet forces.
The CIA, working closely with Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), helped create a network of jihadist groups, some of which later evolved into the Taliban and al-Qaeda.
This period marked the beginning of Pakistan’s deep entanglement with militancy, which Asif referred to as “dirty work.”
The relationship soured in the 1990s after the Soviet withdrawal, as the U.S. imposed sanctions on Pakistan over its nuclear program.
However, the 9/11 attacks in 2001 brought Pakistan back into the U.S. fold as a critical partner in the War on Terror.
Under President Pervez Musharraf, Pakistan received billions in military and economic aid to combat al-Qaeda and the Taliban, but its “double game” of supporting certain militant groups while cracking down on others strained ties.
The 2011 U.S. raid that killed Osama bin Laden in Abbottabad, Pakistan, exposed deep mistrust, with the U.S. accusing Pakistan of sheltering terrorists.
In recent years, U.S.-Pakistan relations have been transactional, focused on counterterrorism and Afghanistan. The U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021 and the Taliban’s return to power further complicated the dynamic, with Pakistan facing blowback from groups like the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
Pakistani officials have also expressed concern over U.S. weapons left in Afghanistan falling into the hands of militants, as seen in a March 2025 train attack by Baloch insurgents. Asif’s statement reflects Pakistan’s lingering resentment over being used as a proxy in U.S. wars while bearing the brunt of the fallout.
Indian Officials’ Reaction: A deafening Silence, for Now
As of April 25, 2025, Indian officials have not issued an official response to Asif’s remarks, but the silence is unlikely to last. India has long accused Pakistan of sponsoring terrorism in Kashmir and beyond, pointing to groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) as evidence of ISI backing.
Asif’s admission is seen as a vindication of India’s position, with Indian media outlets and analysts describing it as a “stunning confession” that validates New Delhi’s allegations on global platforms.
Sources in New Delhi indicate that the Indian government is likely to raise Asif’s statement in international forums, including the United Nations, to press for stronger action against Pakistan’s alleged support for terrorism.
The remarks come at a time when India has already downgraded diplomatic ties with Pakistan, suspended visa services, and revoked the Shimla Agreement in response to the Pahalgam attack.
Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has hinted at a “strong response,” and analysts speculate that India may consider military options, such as targeted strikes across the Line of Control (LoC), as it did in 2016 and 2019.
Indian social media has erupted with outrage, with users and commentators labeling Asif’s statement as proof of Pakistan’s duplicity. Posts on X have amplified the sentiment, with one user stating, “Pakistan’s Defence Minister just admitted what India has been saying for decades. This is a game-changer.”
The Indian government’s next steps will likely depend on its assessment of Pakistan’s involvement in the Pahalgam attack and the broader geopolitical context, including U.S. and Chinese reactions.
Broader Implications: A Region on Edge
Asif’s admission has far-reaching implications for Pakistan’s domestic politics, its international standing, and the volatile India-Pakistan relationship. Domestically, the statement has embarrassed Pakistan’s military establishment, which has long portrayed itself as a victim of terrorism rather than a perpetrator. Critics on X have called it a “moment of embarrassment,” accusing the military of using its “strategic importance” to siphon billions from the national budget.
Internationally, the remarks could complicate Pakistan’s efforts to secure financial aid from the U.S. and other Western nations, especially as it navigates an economic crisis. The U.S. has not yet responded to Asif’s statement, but it is likely to face pressure from India to address Pakistan’s role in supporting militancy. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s claim that the Pahalgam attack was a “false flag operation” has further inflamed tensions, with both sides exchanging fire along the LoC on April 25, 2025.
For India, Asif’s admission provides a diplomatic weapon to isolate Pakistan globally, but it also raises the stakes for a potential military escalation. With both nations nuclear-armed and deeply entrenched in their positions on Kashmir, the risk of miscalculation looms large. The United Nations has urged restraint, but with no third-party mediation in sight, the region remains on a knife’s edge.
As the fallout from Asif’s remarks continues to unfold, one thing is clear: his candid admission has opened a Pandora’s box, forcing Pakistan to confront its past and testing the fragile balance of power in South Asia.
