Pakistan’s Information and Broadcasting Minister Attaullah Tarar was fact-checked on live television by Sky News journalist Yalda Hakim. The viral has gone viral just hours after India’s military action on terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (POK).
On Sky News, Tarar alleged that the Indian ministry targeted the civilian areas. The claim was dismantled by the journalist.
“The Indian armed forces have said that they only targeted terrorist camps and not Pakistani military facilities,” Yalda Hakim said.
Early Wednesday, India carried out missile strikes on nine terror targets, including the Jaish-e-Mohammad stronghold of Bahawalpur and Lashkar-e-Taiba’s base in Muridke.
Wow !! @Yalda just turned Ataullah Tarar’s press conference into a masterclass in journalism! 😎 Armed with facts and a mic, she sent Pakistan’s Info Minister spinning like a top in a verbal tornado. pic.twitter.com/Dd24JWnL1a
— PM (@naannomad) May 7, 2025
“Let me make it very clear, there are no terrorist camps in Pakistan. Pakistan is a victim of terrorism. We are fighting terrorism on our western borders. We are the frontline state against terrorism. We have laid down 90 thousand lives in this war against terrorism,” the Pakistan minister said, denying the fact.
“India, on the other hand, when we had the Jafar Express hijacking, India did not even condemn it, let alone express any concern about the incident,” Tarar further claimed.
The journalist then interjected and pointed to Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif’s remark on her earlier show about Pakistan doing “dirty work” of sponsoring terrorism.
“On my programme, just a week ago, your Defence Minister Khawaja Asif admitted that Pakistan has for decades had a policy of funding, backing and using terrorist groups as proxies in the country (India). In fact, in 2018, President Donald Trump cut military aid to Pakistan because he accused Pakistan of playing a double game,’ the journalist said.
“So, when you say there are no terrorist camps in Pakistan, that is going against what General Parvez Musharraf has said, what Benazir Bhutto has said, what your Defence Minister has said just a week ago. In fact, Bilawal Bhutto told me a few days ago that funding and backing terrorist organisations have been and was part of Pakistan’s history,” she further added.
The broadcasting minister quickly interjected, “Post 9-11, let’s talk about post 9-11 scenario. And let me be very clear, post 9-11, Pakistan was the frontline state and we still are the frontline state in eliminating terrorism. You see, when we are the guarantors of world peace, because we are a wall between the terrorists and the rest of the world. You must, I would like to invite you to Pakistan to come and see this.”
The anchor on the invitation to Pakistan replied, “I have been to Pakistan, sir. And we know that Osama bin Laden was also discovered in Abbottabad in Pakistan. So these accusations on Pakistan, including your defence minister making the admission, is there.”
Tarar then sought to deflect the heat by saying that the defence minister of Pakistan had been “misinterpreted”.
“You see, there was a Soviet invasion back in the ’80s. And obviously, we were countering the Soviet invasion at that point in time. That’s part of history. And we were allies of the US. So post 9-11, the scenario changed completely. (2:51) And Pakistan made a lot of sacrifices. Pakistan is still laying down lives against terrorists. Even today in Balochistan, there was a terrorist attack. We lost seven soldiers. So you see Pakistani politicians, Pakistani soldiers, Pakistani officers, Pakistani military, Pakistani police, they’ve been giving numerous sacrifices.
“So there’s no question at all, madam, of having terrorist camps in Pakistan,” he added.
The anchor then responded and said that it contradicts the Western intelligence.
“But I just want to focus you on this particular incident, sir. How will Pakistan now respond?,” she said.
