Allegations just an excuse: India’s real target is Indus River, says Bilawal

MIRPURKHAS: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has thrown down the gauntlet to India over its allegations related to the Pahalgam attack, calling on the Modi-led government to present evidence supporting its claims against Pakistan.

“We [Pakistan] are not involved in this. If you have evidence, then present it. Tell the people of Mirpurkhas who these terrorists are. We will catch them and hang them publicly in a ground in Mirpurkhas,” the PPP chief said while addressing a public gathering here on Thursday.

Bilawal said the Indian allegations of terrorism were just an excuse while its real target was the Indus River. “They [Modi govt] call themselves democrats [but] we will prove that they are extremists,” the PPP chief said, adding that India is not a peaceful country. “We have to confront Modi to save Sindhu [Indus River],” the PPP chief added.

Separately, speaking to British media, the PPP chairman warned against a nuclear conflict. Bilawal said that Pakistan has the full capacity to respond effectively to any Indian aggression. Our armed forces, including our Air Force and Navy, are fully capable.

Bilawal said that, unfortunately, there have been wars between the two countries in the past. “Our hope is that this will not happen again and that common sense will prevail. The international community should remain in touch with both countries and intervene effectively so that tensions do not escalate.”

The PPP chairman said that a transparent, fair and impartial investigation into the Pahalgam incident should be conducted, and an environment should be created where India and Pakistan can work together. If this does not happen, the matter could turn into a limited clash. The clash could be between the air forces or in any other military sector. This clash could also take the form of a full-scale war.