New Delhi: Pakistan has once again embarrassed itself on the global stage. After Operation Sindoor, several prominent Pakistani figures have been seen defending the government on television channels. However, on the issue of terrorism, Pakistan has once again faced humiliation.
This time it was the turn of Pakistani People’s Party (PPP) Senator Sherry Rehman, who got into a heated argument with Sky News anchor Yalda Hakim after being confronted about Pakistan’s alleged terror links, including Brigade 313 and its recent attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir.
The anchor also claimed that Islamabad is fighting “very hard” to clean its “terrorist record”. Rehman had to be defensive throughout the interview, as Hakim did not leave any chance to grill Pakistan.
This comes after days when Pakistan’s Pakistan defence minister Khawaja Asif admitted that it has funded, supported and aided terror groups for 30 years. It also added that US backed all its decisions.
Hakim’s blistering attack on Rehman
The Sky News anchor made a scathing attack on Rehman by bringing up the matter of terror groups such as the Al- Qaeda linked organisations like Brigrade 313.
Hakim, quoted as a senior intelligence analyst, said that Brigade 313 is al-Qaeda in Pakistan, an umbrella organisation of several groups like the Taliban, Harkat-ul Jihad, etc.
Rehman responded defensively: “I don’t know who told you this. I can produce any number of pages saying all this. We should also produce a digital dossier — am I going to war every time there is an attack in India… are we responsible for what goes on there?”
Hakim pressed further, countering: “But you are responsible for what is happening inside Pakistan. In a statement issued on May 7 following Indian air strikes, Jaish-e-Mohammed said that at least family members of its chief Masood Azhar were killed in Bahawalpur.”
Rehman shot back: “Your point being?”
Hakim replied: “My point being that these are the leaders of a massive terror organisation that focuses on attacks on Kashmir.” She added that Bahalwalpur is a seedbed of terrorism, which Rehman is scared to address.
As the interview took a serious turn, Hakim further questioned Rehman about the whereabouts of Brigade 313. Rehman diverting the point asserted, “Most of the international analysts you are quoting are aligned with India’s narrative.”
The terror oraganisation Brigade 313 was started by former Pakistani commando-turned-jihadi Ilyas Kashmiri. According to the intelligence agencies, it is said to be an important asset to Pakistan’s extremist activities. The group works under the al-Qaeda-linked Harkat-ul-Jihad al-Islami (HuJI) umbrella. In the past, Brigade 313 was suspected to be involved in several terror attacks targeting Indian soil as well as the Western countries. It is often said to have ties with Pakistan’s military intelligence.
Pakistan blames West for its worsening situation
Pakistan CM has admitted in his interview with the Sky News anchor earlier that Pakistan has been aiding terror groups. He stated, “We have been doing this dirty work for the United States for about three decades, and West, including Britain.”
He candidly added: “If we had not joined the war against Soviet Union, and later on, the war after 9/11… Pakistan’s track record was unimpeachable.”
Calling the Western minds hypocrites, he said, ” “It was convenient for the big powers to blame Pakistan, which ‘fought’ the wars on their side in the 80s against the Soviet Union. All these terrorists of today were whining and dining in Washington.”
Later, PPP leader Bilawal Bhutto said that Pakistan’s past is not a “secret” to anyone.
He added “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 not only for us but also the international community.”
