Pakistan’s Terror Ties Exposed: Sherry Rehman Admits to ‘Cleaning’ Nation’s Terrorist Image—But Can She Convince the World?

Senator Sherry Rehman of the Pakistan People’s Party faced tough questions on Sky News about her country’s ties to terrorism, admitting Pakistan is “fighting very hard” to shed its tarnished image. The viral interview, sparked by the April 22 Pahalgam attack in Jammu and Kashmir, has deepened scrutiny of Pakistan’s role in regional unrest. Here’s what happened and why it matters.

A Grilling on Global TV

The exchange was intense:

• Sky News anchor Yalda Hakim pressed Rehman on Pakistan’s alleged support for terror groups, focusing on the Pahalgam attack that killed 26 people, mostly tourists.
• Hakim highlighted Brigade 313, an Al-Qaeda-linked group tied to outfits like Jaish-e-Mohammed and Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami, active in Pakistan.
• Rehman, visibly tense, said, “I don’t know who’s feeding you this. We could produce a dossier to counter these claims,” deflecting with questions about India’s own insurgencies.

Her responses stirred debate worldwide.

Rehman’s Key Admission

Rehman didn’t shy away entirely:

• She conceded Pakistan has a “terrorist record” but stressed it’s working to change perceptions, saying, “We’re fighting very hard to clean that image.”
• She argued global media often echo India’s narrative, unfairly painting Pakistan as a terror hub.
• When Hakim mentioned Operation Sindoor—India’s May 8, 2025, strikes on terror camps in Pakistan—Rehman called India’s evidence “flimsy,” urging focus on dialogue.

Her words were both defensive and revealing.

'Pakistan is fighting very hard to clean its terrorist record'

Vice President of the Pakistan People's Party Senator Sherry Rehman tells @SkyYaldaHakim 'Pakistan is a changed country', even though they were taken off the grey list in 2022https://t.co/1GOylJEIzn pic.twitter.com/Y7ei3Wbo9h

— Sky News (@SkyNews) June 9, 2025

Tensions Fuel the Fire

The interview reflects a volatile moment:

• The April 8, 2025, Pahalgam attack, claimed by the Resistance Front (a Lashkar-e-Taiba proxy), led to India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty and Operation Sindoor, hitting nine terror sites in Pakistan and PoK.
• Pakistan’s Senate denied involvement, passing resolutions on May 2024 condemning India’s “orchestrated campaign” to maligning Pakistan.
• Defence Minister Hasan Khan’s April 24, 2025, admission that Pakistan funded terror groups for decades, though tied to past Western policies, added weight to accusations.

These events frame Rehman’s tough spot.

Pakistan’s Image Struggle

Rehman painted a complex picture:

• She claimed Pakistan is a “changed nation,” citing its 2022 removal from a global financial watchlist and counterterrorism efforts.
• Yet, she pointed to India’s alleged role in Balochistan unrest, referencing past confessions like Kalbhushan Yadav’s arrest.
• Rehman stressed Pakistan’s losses to terrorism, noting the 2007 assassination of PPP leader Benazir Bhutto and thousands of civilian deaths.

Her case mixes defiance with calls for fairness.

What People Are Saying

The interview sparked reactions:

• On X, one user posted, “Sherry tried, but those terror links are hard to shake.”
• Another wrote, “Pakistan’s doing better, but the world’s not buying it yet.”
• Critics shared, “Admitting a terror record is bold, but actions speak louder.”

Sentiment online shows doubt and curiosity.

Why It’s a Big Deal

The stakes are high:

• Pakistan faces global pressure to dismantle terror networks, with Brigade 313’s ties to Al-Qaeda raising alarms.
• India-Pakistan tensions, fueled by cross-border attacks, risk escalation, with both nations nuclear-armed.
• Rehman’s admission highlights Pakistan’s challenge: proving change while countering India’s narrative at forums like the UN.

This moment tests Pakistan’s credibility.

What’s Next for Pakistan

The path forward is murky:

• Rehman and leaders vow to push peace talks, but India demands action against groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed.
• Pakistan’s Senate resolutions, denying terror involvement, clash with Khan’s admissions, muddying diplomacy.
• With more UN debates looming, Pakistan must balance defending itself and tackling terror at home.

The world is watching closely.