Earlier this month, Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan sat for an interview with a small group of foreign correspondents from prominent outlets. In the interview, he acknowledged that Pakistan’s military had been responsible for forming many of the country’s militant groups, and he declared that Pakistan no longer has any use for “armed militias.”
What is the significance, if any, of these comments? Do Khan’s comments suggest that Pakistan is serious about cracking down on all forms of terrorism, or are they merely an effort to reduce growing international pressure on Pakistan to rein in militancy?
The latest episode of the AfPak File Podcast discusses these questions and others. The guests are Umair Jamal, Pakistan correspondent for The Diplomat; Huma Yusuf, a columnist for Dawn; Shaheen Buneri, a journalist with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s Radio Mashaal; and Michael Kugelman, deputy director for the Asia Program and senior associate for South Asia at the Wilson Center. Muhammad Tahir of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty is the moderator.
