Pakistan’s Former Foreign Minister Acknowledges Historical Ties to Extremism, Calls for Recognition of Reforms

 In a candid admission that reflects a growing willingness within Pakistan’s political establishment to confront its complex past, former foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has acknowledged the country's previous associations with extremist groups, describing them as part of a difficult but bygone chapter in the nation's history.

Speaking in an interview with Sky News anchor Yalda Hakim, Bhutto stated, “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.”

Bhutto’s comments follow earlier remarks by Pakistan’s current defence minister, Khwaja Asif, who admitted in a separate interview that Islamabad had, over the course of several decades, backed and supported various militant groups, often as part of broader geopolitical alliances.

Asif acknowledged, “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. If we had not joined the war against the Soviet Union and later the war after 9/11, Pakistan’s track record was unimpeachable.”

In his interview, Bhutto emphasized that while Pakistan’s involvement in such activities is a matter of public record, the nation has since undertaken significant internal reforms aimed at reversing the effects of radicalization and disengaging from any association with violent non-state actors.

“It is true that it is an unfortunate part of our history,” he said. “But it is history—and it is not something that we are partaking in today.”

Bhutto's remarks come at a time of increasing scrutiny over Pakistan’s counterterrorism policies and its historical relationship with militant groups operating in the region. His acknowledgment adds weight to a growing narrative within Pakistan that seeks to move beyond Cold War-era policies and reframe the country’s global image.

The comments have also drawn attention in India. The Bharatiya Janata Party’s IT cell chief, Amit Malviya, posted a screenshot of the interview to social media platform X (formerly Twitter), captioning it with, “The fear is palpable”—an apparent reference to Pakistan’s stated shift away from militant alliances.

Both Bhutto and Asif’s statements appear to reflect a broader recalibration within Pakistan’s civilian leadership amid persistent international pressure and ongoing security concerns in South Asia.