15 hours ago
Last Updated:May 02, 2025, 11:06 IST
Bilawal Bhutto said, "As far as what the defence minister said, I don't think it is a secret that Pakistan has a past."
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chief Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari
Former Pakistani Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto has acknowledged Pakistan’s “past" involvement with terror operatives, conceding the nation’s historical ties to extremism. His admission follows similar remarks by Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khwaja Asif, who earlier admitted to Pakistan’s role in backing and funding terrorist groups.
Speaking to Sky News’s Yalda Hakim, Bilawal Bhutto said, “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…"
He emphasized that while Pakistan’s history with extremism is undeniable, it is a chapter the country has moved beyond. “As far as Pakistan’s history is concerned, it is history and it is not something that we are partaking in today. It is true that it is an unfortunate part of our history," he said, highlighting Pakistan’s efforts to reform and address the issue of terrorism.
Earlier, Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khwaja Asif was asked, “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?"
To this he replied, “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."
Location :Islamabad, Pakistan
First Published:News world 'We Have A Past, Learnt Our Lessons': Bilawal Bhutto On Extremism In Pakistan
