6 Times Pakistan Publicly Admitted of Supporting Terrorism

This article outlines Pakistan publicly admitted of supporting terrorism from 1980s to April 2025, highlighting global reactions and examining the impact on international relations and regional security.

1. When Did Pakistan’s Former President Pervez Musharraf Admit Supporting Militants?
On October 12, 2015, in an interview with Dunya News, former President Pervez Musharraf acknowledged that Pakistan had supported and trained underground militant groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) in the 1990s. He justified this as a countermeasure against India in Kashmir. This admission marked a significant moment, confirming India’s long-standing allegations of Pakistan’s direct involvement in cross-border terrorism.​

2. When Did Pakistan’s Ex-Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif Acknowledge Terror Links?
On May 12, 2018, during an interview with Dawn newspaper, former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif questioned Pakistan’s role in allowing terrorists like those involved in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks to operate from its soil. His statement intensified global scrutiny. Following Sharif’s comment, India’s Ministry of External Affairs highlighted it as a “serious self-indictment” of Pakistan’s patronage to terrorism.​

3. When Did Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi Admit Jaish-e-Mohammed’s Presence?
On February 22, 2019, after the Pulwama attack, Pakistan’s then Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi admitted in a CNN interview that Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar was indeed present in Pakistan. He stated that Azhar was “very unwell,” acknowledging his location and implicitly confirming Pakistan’s sheltering of UN-designated terrorists.​

4. When Did Pakistan Acknowledge FATF-Linked Terror Financing Issues?
On October 23, 2020, during a National Assembly session, Pakistan’s then Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and PML-N leader Ayaz Sadiq discussed national challenges regarding the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey listing. Pakistan admitted to taking urgent measures against terror financing under international pressure. FATF data later revealed Pakistan had failed to fully comply with 27 out of 40 key recommendations by that time.​

5. When Did Pakistan Admit Existence of UN-Designated Terrorists During Imran Khan’s Tenure?
On September 24, 2021, addressing the United Nations General Assembly virtually, then Prime Minister Imran Khan acknowledged that terrorist groups like ISIS-K, TTP, and other banned outfits were operating from Pakistani territories, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. This rare admission was significant because Pakistan historically denied militant safe havens, but mounting global pressure forced open acknowledgment in international forums.​

6. When Did Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif Admit Supporting Terrorist Groups?
On April 25, 2025, in an interview with Sky News, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif admitted that Pakistan had been supporting terrorist groups for over three decades. He stated, “We have been doing this dirty work for the United States for about 3 decades… and the West, including Britain… That was a mistake, and we suffered for that.” This admission underscored Pakistan’s historical involvement in supporting militant activities.

7. What Makes This Story a Must-Read?
Understanding when Pakistan itself admitted its role in terrorism offers crucial context for international security debates. It highlights persistent threats and underlines the necessity for strong counterterrorism collaborations globally.