Islamabad, July 9, 2025: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Wednesday firmly rejected allegations of Pakistani involvement in the Pahalgam terror attack, stating that the Indian government has yet to provide any credible evidence linking Pakistan to the incident.
In a wide-ranging interview with Indian journalist Karan Thapar, the former foreign minister said, “Our hands were clean—that’s why we offered a transparent probe into the Pahalgam attack. If the terrorists were Pakistanis, then why haven’t their names been made public?”
Bhutto-Zardari emphasized the need to move beyond blame and historical grievances, urging both nations to look toward a future of mutual understanding. “I don’t want the youth of Pakistan and India to remain trapped in the past,” he said, adding that the roots of terrorism in the subcontinent are deeply linked to Afghanistan’s turbulent history.
Reiterating Pakistan’s own suffering at the hands of terrorism, he said, “Pakistan has never allowed any group to attack India. We are fighting the world’s largest war against terrorism. Over 92,000 Pakistanis have laid down their lives in this fight.” He noted that more than 1,000 Pakistanis were killed in terrorist incidents last year alone, underscoring the country’s shared grief over the Pahalgam tragedy. “We, too, have suffered from terrorism. That’s why we feel the pain of such attacks.”
He also highlighted that the international community has recognized Pakistan’s counterterrorism efforts, praising its contribution to regional and global security.
Citing the 2007 Samjhauta Express bombing, which killed 40 Pakistanis on Indian soil, Bhutto-Zardari pointed out that India had failed to bring those responsible to justice, even as suspects had confessed. “Those confessions were later tampered with, and the victims never saw justice,” he remarked.
Later, taking to X (formerly Twitter), Bhutto-Zardari reflected on the significance of his appearance in Indian media. “My interview with Karan Thapar should be out later today. We are not afraid of presenting our case to the Indian public. I chose Indian media not because I expected fairness, but because I believe in the people of India—especially the youth.”
Calling for a shared vision for peace, he added, “The case for peace in our region is not just a Pakistani cause; it is a shared mission. I believe the new generation of Indians and Pakistanis can break the chains of history. We will be the generation that rejects hate and embraces hope.”
He concluded with a message of solidarity and optimism: “Together, we must face the real challenges of our time—terrorism, climate change, and inequality. Our future will not be defined by the conflicts of the past, but by peaceful co-existence, cooperation, and prosperity.”
