Pakistani Defense Minister Admits Islamabad’s Decades-Long Role in Afghanistan, Calls It a ‘Historic Mistake’
In a rare admission during a session of Pakistan’s National Assembly, the country’s Defense Minister acknowledged Islamabad’s decades-long involvement and interference in Afghanistan, describing it as a “historic mistake” whose consequences continue to affect the region.
Khawaja Asif stated that Pakistan had acted as a force serving Western interests in Afghanistan for decades. He emphasized that these policies were pursued during General Pervez Musharraf’s era with the aim of gaining US support, but have not yet been fully accepted or reassessed.
“We were involved in Afghanistan for 22 to 23 years. Today, when we ask why terrorism has spread in our country, it is a direct result of those policies,” Asif said. He stressed that true reform would not be possible until Pakistan acknowledged its past mistakes.
This is not the first time a senior Pakistani official has criticized the country’s past policies towards Afghanistan. Previously, the defense minister had admitted that Islamabad supported certain armed groups for three decades to advance the interests of the United States and Western countries.
In response to these remarks, former diplomat Aziz Miraj said such statements are largely attempts to deflect responsibility from Pakistani authorities. He claimed that these policies were mostly driven by financial motives and became an ingrained part of Pakistan’s political approach.
In recent years, Pakistani officials have frequently accused Afghanistan of involvement in attacks within Pakistan’s borders. However, the defense minister’s recent comments have raised new questions about Islamabad’s previous stances and the country’s role in regional security developments.
