Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has publicly admitted that the country played a role in the creation and support of the Afghan Taliban, calling it a “historic mistake” that continues to haunt Pakistan. Speaking to Geo News on Wednesday (October 29, 2025), Asif said it was time for Pakistan to acknowledge its past misdeeds and seek forgiveness.
“Our Actions in Afghanistan Are Haunting Us Today”
During the interview, Asif reflected on Pakistan’s decades-long involvement in Afghanistan’s internal affairs. He said, “Whatever is happening to us today is the result of those sins and our actions that we committed with Afghanistan in the 60s, 70s, 90s, and the early decades of this century.”
He added, “The Almighty says confess your crimes and I will forgive you, but we have been denying the role we played in Afghanistan. Those who did this, worked on this policy should pay for these crimes, wherever they may be, whether alive or dead.”
A video clip of his remarks went viral on social media, sparking widespread debate within Pakistan and across the region.
Failed Talks with Kabul Precede Admission
The statement came soon after talks between Islamabad and Kabul in Istanbul failed to produce any breakthrough on security and cross-border issues. The meeting was aimed at curbing terror activities and managing tensions between the two nations, but it ended without a consensus.
Asif’s remarks appear to be a rare moment of political introspection for Pakistan’s leadership, which has often denied direct involvement in aiding or harbouring the Taliban.
Past Acknowledgements of Supporting Terror Groups
This is not the first time Khawaja Asif has acknowledged Pakistan’s history of supporting militant organisations. Earlier this year, following the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, Asif admitted in a British interview that Pakistan had funded, trained, and armed terrorist groups for decades — what he called “dirty work” for the West during the Cold War and the US-led war on terror after 9/11.
He said Pakistan’s record “would have been unquestioned” if it had not joined the Western bloc during these conflicts. “We have paid a heavy price for our mistakes,” Asif added.
Missteps Continue to Embarrass Islamabad
Asif also drew criticism recently after a live CNN interview where he falsely claimed that Pakistan’s forces had shot down Indian fighter jets during Operation Sindoor, India’s precision strikes on terror sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK).
When asked for evidence, Asif struggled to respond and said, “It’s all over social media, on Indian social media, not just our social media. The debris of these jets fell into Kashmir.”
Pakistan’s Reckoning with Its Own Policies
Asif’s confession highlights a growing internal debate in Pakistan about its long-standing policies toward Afghanistan and militant organisations. Analysts say this could indicate a gradual shift in Islamabad’s stance — acknowledging that decades of strategic missteps have severely damaged Pakistan’s stability and international reputation.
While Asif’s statements may be politically risky, they underline a truth that regional observers have long recognized — Pakistan’s role in shaping the Taliban’s rise remains one of its most consequential and costly mistakes.
