Pakistan lost 92,000 lives to terrorism, says Bilawal in strong rebuttal to India

(Web Desk): Former foreign minister and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has categorically rejected Indian allegations that Pakistan sponsors terrorist groups to launch attacks beyond its borders.

In an interview with Indian journalist Karan Thapar, Bilawal dismissed the claims, asserting that Pakistan does not knowingly allow any group to conduct terrorist activities—either abroad or within the country.

Addressing the accusations, Bilawal emphasized the heavy toll terrorism has taken on Pakistan. “The world knows Pakistan has suffered the most in the fight against terrorism,” he said. “We have lost over 92,000 lives, and just last year alone, more than 1,200 civilians were killed in over 200 separate terrorist incidents.”

He warned that if the current frequency of terrorist attacks continues, 2025 could become the bloodiest year in Pakistan’s history. Recalling his personal loss, Bilawal referred to the assassination of his mother, former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, in a terrorist attack. “I am a victim of terrorism myself,” he said, expressing solidarity with victims of recent attacks in Indian-administered Kashmir. “I understand the trauma their families are facing—perhaps more than many others.”

Bilawal also shed light on Pakistan's continuous efforts to root out terrorism. He highlighted past military operations launched against terrorist outfits, including major offensives in South and North Waziristan. “Following my mother’s assassination, the PPP-led government under Asif Ali Zardari initiated a military operation in South Waziristan. The subsequent government launched another in North Waziristan,” he noted.

Referring to international mechanisms, he pointed out that Pakistan went through the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) process and successfully implemented a wide-ranging National Action Plan to curb extremist elements. “FATF is an extremely stringent process. It’s not something a country can bypass. The global community recognizes and endorses the steps Pakistan has taken against proscribed organizations,” Bilawal explained.

Rejecting Indian allegations of Pakistan’s involvement in the April Pahalgam attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), Bilawal emphasized transparency. “Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif offered Pakistan’s full cooperation in any neutral international investigation into the Pahalgam incident. Our hands are clean,” he asserted, criticizing New Delhi for refusing to accept the offer or share any evidence with Pakistan or the international community.

The Pahalgam incident triggered a four-day military confrontation between the nuclear-armed rivals in May. The escalation, involving missile exchanges, drone strikes, and artillery fire, marked the most intense clashes between the two countries in decades. However, the situation was defused after a ceasefire was brokered.

The ceasefire was first announced by then-US President Donald Trump via social media following backchannel diplomacy with both Islamabad and New Delhi. While India denied Trump's mediation claims, Pakistan acknowledged his role and even formally nominated him for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize, citing his efforts in preventing further escalation.

In response to Indian aggression, Pakistan launched a large-scale retaliatory military operation titled Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos, targeting several Indian military positions across the Line of Control and in other regions.

Bilawal concluded by stating that he led a parliamentary delegation to multiple global capitals to counter what he described as “Indian propaganda” and present Pakistan’s perspective following the military standoff. He reiterated Islamabad’s commitment to peace, transparency, and counterterrorism cooperation, while calling on India to abandon its “baseless allegations” and engage in meaningful dialogue instead.