Pakistan People’s Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari addresses a press conference in Karachi, Friday, November 7, 2025. SCREENGRAB
MUZAFFARABAD:
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said on Tuesday that the “crushing defeat” of India in the May War was historic, claiming that Pakistan’s international standing had been strengthened, while India continued to face reminders of the “7-0 defeat” – a reference to the seven Indian planes shot down during the brief military escalation.
Addressing AJK Prime Minister Faisal Mumtaz Rathore’s swearing-in ceremony, Bilawal as a former foreign minister said, “I can claim that Pakistan’s international status is gaining respect”.
“Meanwhile, Modi is hiding from the world, whether in the UN or ASEAN forums. He has been defeated like a coward and he knows he will be reminded of the 7-0 defeat.”
He added that all children knew India’s agenda regarding Kashmir to create conflict and undermine the brotherly bond between Pakistan and Kashmir. “This conspiracy by the Modi government will not succeed. Nothing can destroy the relationship between the people of Azad Kashmir and Pakistan,” he said.
Recalling historical moments of PPP’s legacy, Bilawal said people “would queue 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 herself waited in line was “for the people of Kashmir”, when she stood outside the Saudi king’s door at an OIC meeting “with a case in hand”, telling the king she was there “for her brothers in Kashmir”.
Bilawal said it remained his desire for Kashmir to attain membership of the OIC. As Foreign Minister, he recalled chairing a meeting of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers where he invited the then President of Kashmir to speak.
He further recalled that PPP’s ties with Kashmir span three generations and promised that the party would continue to champion their cause. “In six months, we will return to the Kashmiri people, seek their mandate and form the government,” he said.
Earlier in his address, Bilawal directed the newly elected AJK Chief Minister to engage directly with the public and redress their grievances at the local level.
He advised Rathore to “visit every nook and corner of AJK and keep open kachehris like Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto once did.”
