Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari Rejects Indian Allegations, Defends Pakistan’s Anti-Terror Record

Islamabad– Former Foreign Minister and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has firmly rejected India’s accusations that Pakistan sponsors terrorist groups to carry out attacks abroad, asserting that Pakistan has been one of the biggest victims of terrorism itself.

In a candid interview with Indian journalist Karan Thapar, Bilawal clarified: “Pakistan does not willingly permit the groups you mentioned—or any group—to conduct terrorist attacks outside of Pakistan, or within Pakistan.”

He emphasized that the international community is well aware of the toll terrorism has taken on Pakistan over the past decades. “Pakistan has been fighting the largest inland war against terrorism. We’ve lost 92,000 lives in this struggle. Just last year alone, we suffered over 1,200 civilian casualties from more than 200 terrorist attacks,” he noted.

Bilawal warned that if the current pace of attacks continues, “this year could become the bloodiest in Pakistan’s history.” Reflecting on his personal loss, he recalled the assassination of his mother, former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, by terrorists. “I understand the pain of the victims of the Pahalgam attack. I know the trauma their families are experiencing in ways many others cannot,” he said.

Speaking on counter-terrorism efforts, Bilawal highlighted the military operations conducted in South and North Waziristan, the implementation of Pakistan’s National Action Plan, and the country’s successful compliance with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) guidelines. “The FATF process is rigorous and transparent. You can’t hide from it, and Pakistan’s progress has been internationally acknowledged,” he added.

Responding to the recent Pahalgam attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), Bilawal recalled Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s offer for an international inquiry. “We said our hands are clean. We were open to any impartial investigation. But it was the Indian government that rejected the offer and failed to share any evidence with Pakistan or the global community,” he stated.

Read more: July 5 Marks Darkest Chapter in Pakistan’s History, Says Bilawal Bhutto

Tensions between Pakistan and India escalated in May following the Pahalgam attack, leading to the worst military confrontation between the two nuclear-armed neighbors in decades. Both sides exchanged missile strikes, drone attacks, and artillery fire before agreeing to a ceasefire.

Pakistan responded with a large-scale military operation titled “Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos”, targeting Indian military installations across multiple regions. The ceasefire was eventually brokered with the intervention of former US President Donald Trump, who announced the development on social media.

Pakistan has officially acknowledged Trump’s role in defusing the conflict and has nominated him for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize for his mediation efforts.

Bilawal concluded by saying that Pakistan remains committed to peace but will defend its sovereignty and reject unfounded allegations that threaten regional stability.

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