Renowned Sky News journalist Yalda Hakim has opened up about her viral interview with Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, where he appeared to admit the country’s involvement in backing terrorism.
In a conversation with content creator Ranveer Allahbadia, Hakim recounted the surreal moment during the interview, which followed the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir. The exchange quickly made headlines in India due to Asif’s unapologetic remarks.
“He said things that were just shocking. He acknowledged Pakistan’s use of proxies and doing the ‘dirty work’ of the West,” said Hakim. “At first, I thought he might have misunderstood my question, so I repeated it. But he stood by his words.”
Hakim added that the 18-minute interview was marked by Asif’s unflinching stance. “He didn’t backtrack. He clearly understood the implications of what he was saying. He was owning Pakistan’s historical use of militant groups and justifying it in the context of past international alliances,” she said.
She also questioned the minister on whether historical factors justified Pakistan’s continued association with terrorism. “He didn’t offer any real denials. He essentially affirmed what’s long been suspected about the deep state’s role,” Hakim said.
Who is Yalda Hakim?
Born in Kabul, Yalda Hakim fled Afghanistan with her family during the Soviet occupation. Her family traversed dangerous routes on foot and horseback to escape, eventually finding temporary refuge in Pakistan.
Her mother, a midwife, worked with an Austrian NGO in Swat Valley, while her father started an architectural firm in Islamabad. Two years later, they were sponsored by an architect in Australia, where Yalda grew up in Sydney.
Now an award-winning foreign correspondent, Hakim spent over a decade with the BBC before joining Sky News to lead a flagship global affairs program. Known for her fearless field reporting and hard-hitting interviews, Hakim continues to cover conflict zones and international diplomacy with a sharp lens.
