Pakistan People’s Party Chairman and former Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has sparked fresh controversy after telling Al Jazeera that Pakistan “would not object” to handing over “certain individuals” to India as a confidence-building measure — provided New Delhi also cooperates in a broader negotiation framework. He emphasized that if comprehensive talks between India and Pakistan, especially on counter-terrorism, were held, Pakistan would be open to discussions on such matters.
This isn’t the first time Bilawal has called for dialogue to restore peace in South Asia. However, the timing of this statement — in the wake of the Pahalgam attack and subsequent military conflict between the two nuclear-armed neighbors — has deep diplomatic implications. It raises serious concerns about whether Bilawal’s views reflect personal opinion or signal a shift in Pakistan’s state policy. Historically, Pakistan has always rejected Indian demands for the handover of specific individuals, dismissing them as unsubstantiated.
Public and Political Backlash in Pakistan
Bilawal’s remarks were met with harsh criticism across Pakistan. While the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-N and the government remained silent, the opposition party PTI condemned the statement as “dangerous,” “immature,” and “a threat to national security.”
PTI spokesperson Sheikh Waqas Akram slammed Bilawal during a press conference, labeling him an “irresponsible political novice” who has damaged Pakistan’s diplomatic stance and embarrassed the nation internationally.
Religious and nationalist parties, including Jamaat-e-Islami, Pakistan Markazi Muslim League, Markazi Jamiat Ahle Hadith, and Pakistan Nazriati Party, also condemned the statement. Many demanded a public apology and immediate clarification from Bilawal.
Public reaction on social media was equally fierce. Users accused Bilawal of falling into an Indian journalist’s trap and offering statements India has long sought. One user wrote, “Those accused by India are the same people who’ve always stood for Pakistan’s integrity and have served their communities in times of need.”
India’s Long-Standing Accusations and Pakistan’s Position.
India has consistently accused Pakistan of sponsoring terrorism, yet has never provided solid proof — neither in domestic nor international courts. Conversely, India itself has committed systematic atrocities, particularly against Muslims in Gujarat and Kashmir. PM Modi, once banned from entering the U.S., faces long-standing allegations of state-led violence.
In Pakistan, India’s involvement in terrorism is well-documented. From backing separatist groups in Balochistan, like BLA, to the capture of Indian spy Kulbhushan Yadav, evidence of Indian interference is overwhelming. Pakistan’s security agencies have labeled BLA “Fitna-e-Hindustan,” and India’s fingerprints are visible in terror attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as well.
Internationally, India’s hand in the killing of Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada and other extrajudicial activities further reinforce its record of state-sponsored terrorism.
The Broader Truth
Pakistan’s state and public stand united in rejecting any claims of Pakistani involvement in terrorism on Indian soil. No court has validated India’s accusations against individuals residing in Pakistan. Thus, the idea of handing anyone over to India is both unacceptable and unjustified.
While Bilawal’s statement may be his personal opinion, the people of Pakistan firmly uphold the national stance: Pakistan has been a victim, not a perpetrator, of Indian terrorism. True peace in the region will only be possible when India ends its state terrorism and introspects on its own internal rot.
