Pakistan People’s Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari addresses a press conference in Karachi, Friday, November 7, 2025. Screenshot
MUZAFFARABAD:
Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Tuesday said the “crushing defeat” suffered by India during the May War was historic, asserting that Pakistan’s international standing had strengthened while India continued to face reminders of the “7-0 defeat”, a reference to the seven Indian aircraft shot down during the brief military escalation.
Addressing the swearing-in ceremony of AJK Chief Minister Faisal Mumtaz Rathore, Bilawal said as a former foreign minister, “I can say that Pakistan’s international standing is gaining respect.”
“Meanwhile, Modi is hiding from the world, whether at the United Nations or ASEAN forums. He has been defeated like a coward and knows he will be reminded of the 7-0 defeat.”
He added that all the children were aware of India’s agenda regarding Kashmir to create infighting and undermine the brotherly bond between Pakistan and Kashmir. “This conspiracy of the Modi government will not succeed. Nothing can tarnish the relationship between the people of Azad Kashmir and Pakistan,” he said.
Recalling historic moments in the PPP’s legacy, Bilawal said people were “lining up to meet Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto”, a fact also mentioned by Hillary Clinton in her book.
He added that the only time Benazir Bhutto stood in line was “for the people of Kashmir”, when she stood outside the door of the Saudi king at an OIC meeting “with a file in her hand”, telling the king that she was there “for her brothers in Kashmir”.
Bilawal said he still wanted Kashmir to become a member of the OIC. As foreign minister, he recalled chairing a meeting of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers, during which he invited the then president of Kashmir to speak.
He further recalled that PPP’s bond with Kashmir dates back three generations and promised that the party would continue to champion its cause. “In six months we will return to the people of Kashmir, seek their mandate and form the government,” he said.
Earlier in his speech, Bilawal instructed the newly elected AJK Prime Minister to engage directly with the public and redress their grievances at the local level.
He advised Rathore to “visit every corner of AJK and keep kachehris open, like Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto once did.”
