New Delhi, September 23 (Daily Kiran) : Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif recently acknowledged that successive governments in his country have supported terrorism for over 30 years. His admission came shortly after a deadly attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22, 2025, which resulted in the loss of 26 civilian lives. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has also stated at the United Nations that while terrorists have existed in Pakistan, they are now under control.
However, claims from Pakistan about changing its stance on terrorism are met with skepticism, particularly in light of credible reports and historical incidents. Allegations persist regarding elements within the Pakistani military providing training, safe havens, and support to groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed.
Approximately four months ago, images surfaced showing senior political figures, including the Prime Minister’s advisor on political affairs, Senator Rana Sanaullah Khan, engaging with Hafiz Talha Saeed, a globally designated terrorist and son of Lashkar-e-Taiba founder Hafiz Saeed.
In the same interview where Asif admitted to past support for terrorists, he claimed, “Lashkar is a name of the past. It no longer exists.” This statement was made in the context of the claim of responsibility by The Resistance Front for the Pahalgam attack.
It has long been suggested that the military headquarters in Rawalpindi wields significant influence over Islamabad’s civilian government. Recent actions by Pakistan’s Army Chief Syed Asim Munir further illustrate this dynamic, as he has taken an active role in both national and international matters.
The article argues that it is unlikely for Prime Minister Sharif to speak freely with such a powerful military figure, especially given the recent legal changes that have expanded the military’s powers.
Pakistan has faced ongoing international scrutiny and accusations regarding the presence of terrorist networks. Lashkar-e-Taiba, for example, is accused of orchestrating the 2008 Mumbai attacks, which resulted in the deaths of 166 individuals, including foreign nationals. The United Nations has designated its founder, Hafiz Saeed, as a terrorist.
Recent reports indicate that Pakistan’s intelligence agency, the ISI, has increased security for Hafiz Saeed following multiple assassination attempts, placing him under tight protection in Lahore.
Owen L. Sirrs has noted in his writings that the ISI operates under military leadership directives, suggesting that the Army Chief has more influence than the Prime Minister over the agency.
Similarly, Masood Azhar, the leader of Jaish-e-Mohammed, has been a subject of controversy due to allegations of his presence in Pakistan. Jaish-e-Mohammed is linked to the 2001 attack on the Indian Parliament and the 2019 Pulwama suicide bombing.
The article also references connections between Pakistan-based networks and significant terrorist events, including the 2005 London bombings and the failed 2010 Times Square bombing in New York.
In 2003, senior al-Qaeda member Khalid Sheikh Mohammed was captured in Rawalpindi, identified as a key figure behind the September 11 attacks, which claimed nearly 3,000 lives. In 2011, Osama bin Laden was discovered in Abbottabad, near a prominent military academy.
The article mentions Mir Aimal Kansi, apprehended by U.S. agents after his involvement in a shooting outside the CIA headquarters, and the 2002 murder of Wall Street Journal journalist Daniel Pearl, who was investigating links between extremist groups and international terrorist networks.
Given Pakistan’s history with terrorist organizations, the article emphasizes the need to scrutinize the roles of its government, particularly the military and intelligence agencies.
Reports from June indicated sightings of leaders associated with terrorist groups at the funeral of former cricketer Shoaib Akhtar’s brother. Photos circulated on social media showed Saifullah Kasuri, deputy chief of Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Inam-ur-Rehman Kamboh, president of the Pakistan Markazi Muslim League, among others. Kasuri is identified as a key conspirator in the April 2025 Pahalgam attack, while the PMML is described as the political front for Lashkar.
In light of these events, the article questions the credibility of Pakistan’s political leadership in their claims to eradicate terrorism. It asserts that as long as terrorist leaders and commanders remain unchallenged within Pakistan, the validity of the country’s anti-terrorism assertions will continue to be doubted.
The article concludes that terrorism cannot be eliminated through mere statements. While Pakistan’s leaders may acknowledge past mistakes, without concrete actions against the leaders of terrorist organizations, their claims will remain in question.
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