Selective and Agenda-Driven Journalism by Yalda Hakim: Exposing the Bias

In a recent broadcast on Sky News, host Yalda Hakim raised the issue of Al-Qaeda’s 313 Brigade during an interview with former Pakistani minister Sherry Rehman. The question posed by Hakim appeared biased, referencing a non-existent issue and exposing a clear lack of understanding regarding the 313 Brigade. Her commentary, both during the show and later via a carefully worded post on X (formerly Twitter), seemed to push an anti-Pakistan narrative under the guise of journalistic inquiry.

Key Points to Consider

If Yalda Hakim genuinely wishes to understand the topic of Al-Qaeda’s 313 Brigade, there are several critical questions she should explore, rather than echoing misleading narratives often propagated by India. These include:

1. Who dismantled Al-Qaeda in the region after 9/11 and served as a frontline state in the global war on terror?
   The answer is Pakistan. This is a globally acknowledged fact, as Pakistan played a leading role in combating Al-Qaeda post-9/11.

2. Who has suffered the most at the hands of Al-Qaeda and the 313 Brigade in the region?
   Once again, the answer is Pakistan. The country has faced numerous attacks, including assassination attempts on former President Pervez Musharraf and assaults on key military installations.

3. Has the 313 Brigade ever launched an attack in India?
   The answer is a resounding NO. Their targets have always been within Pakistan. This raises the logical question: why would Pakistan allow such a group to operate freely? Pakistan has consistently taken action to eliminate these militant factions.

4. Has Al-Qaeda’s presence been limited to the Af-Pak region?
   The answer is no. Al-Qaeda is a global terrorist network, with affiliates and cells active in various countries across multiple regions.

5. Does the 313 Brigade still exist in the region in an organized form?
   The answer is no. Following the killing of Ilyas Kashmiri, the 313 Brigade ceased to function as a cohesive unit. Remaining members have since dispersed, joining other militant groups in Afghanistan, including the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and factions led by Hafiz Gul Bahadur, from where they continue to pose a threat to Pakistan.

These key questions are essential for anyone—especially a journalist like Yalda Hakim—looking to speak authoritatively on the subject. A thorough examination of these points would provide a more accurate understanding of the matter.

The Broader Picture

India, having failed to succeed in both military confrontations and diplomatic efforts against Pakistan, is now attempting to shape international opinion through media propaganda. Reviving an issue that has been dormant since 2011, and pushing it through under-informed or naive journalists, is part of this strategy.

Reality Check

Pakistan is not a sponsor of terrorism—it is a victim. It continues to face threats from foreign-affiliated terror groups (FAK) and international terrorist organizations (ITOs) such as Al-Qaeda and ISIS-K (ISKP). As a frontline state in the fight against terrorism, Pakistan’s efforts have been critical in the global struggle against violent extremism. Misrepresenting these facts through selective and poorly researched journalism only serves propaganda interests, not the truth.

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