Yalda Hakim Grills Sherry Rehman on Pakistan Terror Links
The exchange highlights the deep-seated suspicions and rivalries between Pakistan and India, with each country seeking to shape the narrative on terrorism and security in the region. Rehman's defense of Pakistan's actions and Hakim's probing questions reflect the high stakes and competing interests at play in this critical issue.
Pakistan's former ambassador to the US and senator, Sherry Rehman, faced intense questioning from Sky News anchor Yalda Hakim over Pakistan's alleged connections to terrorism, particularly in relation to the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir that resulted in the loss of 26 lives. Rehman vehemently denied any links to Brigade 313, an al Qaeda-affiliated group, and instead shifted the focus towards India's internal security concerns.
During the exchange, Hakim referenced "Operation Sindoor", a military operation targeting nine terror camps in Pakistan and PoK, which was launched in retaliation for the Pahalgam attack. Rehman's response was enigmatic, stating "children are not leaders". She also disputed claims regarding Brigade 313's ties to Al Qaeda, suggesting that most analysts cited by Hakim were aligned with India's narrative and only presented India's perspective on the issue.
Rehman defended Pakistan's record on combating terrorism, describing it as a "changed country" that is actively working to fight terrorism. She accused international narratives of being influenced by Indian interests and denied allegations that Pakistan harbors terror outfits like Jaish-e-Mohammad and the Haqqani Network. Instead, she blamed India for its own insurgencies and highlighted Pakistan's removal from the FATF grey list, citing the submission of forensic evidence and the proscription of terror groups as evidence of progress.
The heated exchange between Rehman and Hakim underscores the complexities and tensions surrounding the issue of terrorism in the region, with both countries trading accusations and defenses. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the international community will respond to the claims and counterclaims made by Pakistan and India.