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Thursday July 17, 2025

In any future conflict with India: Pakistan would have only 30 secs to judge if missile is N-armed, says Bilawal

"We have to talk about Kashmir with India because it is root cause of our troubles," says Bilawal

By Asim Yasin & Muhammad Anis & News Desk
June 06, 2025
Pakistans former foreign minister and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari is seen speaking during an interview on June 4, 2025. — YouTube@Pakistan Peoples Party/Screengrab
Pakistan's former foreign minister and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari is seen speaking during an interview on June 4, 2025. — YouTube@Pakistan Peoples Party/Screengrab

WASHINGTON/ISLAMABAD: Former foreign minister and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari warned on Thursday India’s use of a supersonic nuclear-capable missile during the recent standoff with Pakistan had made the situation more precarious.

In an interview with Bloomberg, Bilawal said that the New Delhi’s move presented a new danger in future clashes, adding: “Now we then have about 30 seconds time to decide, off a grainy little image, this nuclear-capable missile — is it armed with a nuclear weapon? And how do we respond?” India had lowered the threshold for future military action between the nuclear-armed neighbours, he added. Bilawal, who is currently in New York and heading a nine-member high-level parliamentary delegation, forcefully presented his country’s message of “peace with dignity and equality” at the United Nations (UN) this week. A comprehensive dialogue between the two sides could prevent future conflicts, which could escalate suddenly and be difficult for leaders to intervene in, said the former foreign minister.

“Our concern for next time, heaven forbid, for next time round is that the threshold is low for a military conflict,” he added.

In a future conflict, Bilawal further said that both countries are likely to climb the “escalation ladder” too quickly for President Donald Trump or other leaders to intervene.

Categorically dismissing Indian allegations about the Pahalgam attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJ&K), he said that New Delhi did not provide a shred of evidence.

“You just need an accusation, and you launch into a full-blown war with Pakistan,” he added.

“The new sort of normal — or we call it an abnormal — that the Modi government is trying to impose on the region is that if there’s a terrorist attack anywhere in India, mainland India and Indian-occupied Kashmir, you don’t have to provide a shred of evidence,” Bilawal said.

It is pertinent to mention here that following the US-brokered ceasefire between the two sides, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said India wouldn’t hesitate to use force against “terrorist camps” in Pakistan again, calling the response a “new normal” in relations.

He said: “Therefore, from our perspective, it’s the utmost importance that Pakistan and India engage in a comprehensive dialogue.”

Addressing an event at Middle East Institute, Bilawal said: We have to talk about Kashmir with India because it is the root cause of our troubles.” If India is serious about combating terrorism then they have to create more conducive environment in IIOJ&K, he added. “You cant cage an entire population and bulldoze their houses and blind them with pellet guns and expect them not to react.”

He warned that India shutting of Pakistan’s water supply was laying the foundation for first nuclear water war. The PPP chairman said: “We have said cutting off Pakistan’s water supply would be an act of war. We don’t say it in a jingoistic manner. It’s an existential crisis for us.”

He maintained that any country on the planet no matter their size, strength or ability would fight for their survival and fight for their water.

“India must abide by the Indus Water Treaty. United States, other countries must take a firm stance that they will not only allow India to violate Indus Water Treaty but take their threat forward,” he added.

“You cannot allow their precedent to be set in Pakistan context. We will fight the first war but it wont be the last,” Bilawal warned.

In an interview with China’s CCTV News, Bilawal Bilawal stressed the need for a permanent, joint investigative forum between India and Pakistan to probe not just the Pahalgam attack, but all terror incidents affecting both countries.

“There is a long list of cases where India has been involved in attacks inside Pakistan, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan,” he said. “A neutral platform could help both sides seek justice and prevent future bloodshed.”

Reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to peace, Bilawal said any military response had been in self-defence. He said that Pakistan shot down six Indian aircraft during the conflict—something India took a month to acknowledge.

He also raised serious concerns about India’s unilateral violation of the Indus Waters Treaty, describing it as a breach of international law. “Neither side can walk away from the treaty on its own,” he said. “Any change must be agreed jointly through dialogue.” Talks on the treaty, however, remain stalled.

Urging global powers to act, he said: “The UN still has a vital role to play. The [UN] secretary general played a constructive part during the crisis. Now we need a similar effort to secure a just and lasting peace.”

The Pakistan’s delegation, meanwhile, held a series of meetings with members of the US Congress at Capitol Hill.

The delegation engaged with a bipartisan group of US lawmakers, including a key meeting with the Congressional Pakistan Caucus, co-chaired by Congressmen Jack Bergman and Tom Suozzi.

During these discussions, Bilawal Bhutto briefed the members on “India’s recent acts of unprovoked aggression, including the targeting of civilians and the deeply concerning, unilateral suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, a clear breach of international law.” In separate meetings with other influential members of Congress, the delegation also met individually with Senator Elissa Slotkin, a Democrat, Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove, also a Democrat, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on South and Central Asia; Congressman Tom Kean, a Republican Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee; Congressman John Moolenaar, a Republican Member of the House Appropriations Committee; Senator Jim Banks, a Republican Member of the Armed Services Committee; Senator Van Hollen, a Democrat; and Senator Cory Booker, also a Democrat.

Members of Congress welcomed the Pakistani delegation, urging both countries to demonstrate restraint and prioritise regional peace and stability, according to the press release.

Bilawal also met with Republican leaders Jack Bergman and Ryan Zinke, among others. The meeting addressed critical issues including regional peace and stability in South Asia, Pakistan-India relations, and pressing water disputes.

He praised President Donald Trump’s role in helping to de-escalate past tensions between Pakistan and India, noting that “Pakistan remains committed to peace, but sadly, India consistently resists dialogue.”

Bilawal stressed that if Indian hostility is not curbed in time, it could seriously jeopardise regional peace. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s desire for constructive engagement based on mutual respect and peaceful resolution of disputes. During his meeting with Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove, Bilawal appreciated her efforts in advancing human rights and expressed grave concern over India’s use of baseless allegations to target innocent civilians, including women and children.

Meanwhile, the PPP chairman wrote on his ‘X’ handle: “Appreciated the critical peacemaker role played by President Donald Trump in facilitating the ceasefire understanding, intended as a pathway to broader, sustained peace and dialogue.”

He said he raised concerns over India’s recent provocations, the deepening humanitarian crisis in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, and the alarming precedent set by the unilateral suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty.

He reiterated that there is no military solution to our challenges. “Only diplomacy and dialogue can deliver lasting peace in South Asia.”

On his meeting with Rep Kamlager Dove, Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on South & Central Asia, Bilawal stated that he shared Pakistan’s concerns over the new abnormal imposed by Indian PM Narendra Modi, where every incident by nameless actors triggers unprovoked aggression, risking war between two nuclear-armed neighbours. On his meeting with Senator Chris Van Hollen, the PPP chairman said that he had a constructive exchange with the senator on Pakistan’s deep concerns over India’s increasingly belligerent posture and its refusal to engage, whether through dialogue, joint investigation, or third-party facilitation. He appreciated the US commitment to regional peace and welcomed its role in promoting de-escalation.

Separately, addressing a reception hosted by Embassy of Pakistan in Washington DC, Bilawal said sustainable peace in South Asia depends on comprehensive dialogue. He urged the international community to support Pakistan in its efforts to achieve peace through dialogue and diplomacy. Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Musadik Malik stressed the dangers of India’s regional ambitions, stating that India’s narrative is based not on evidence but on suspicion. He said that Indian military aggression targeted civilians, including children but Pakistan demonstrated steadfastness and achieved success on all fronts.

Pakistan’s Ambassador to the US Rizwan Saeed Sheikh said our resolve reflects the power of unity and dialogue. “Together, we will continue to project Pakistan’s narrative on the global stage.” Participants, including community leaders and prominent individuals from various professions, expressed their unwavering support for Pakistani government and armed forces. They reaffirmed their commitment to advancing Pakistan’s interests. In Islamabad, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reiterated that India’s unilateral suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty is a violation of the pact and emphasised that Pakistan will respond to India’s water aggression under the decisions made in the National Security Committee (NSC) meeting held in April. Chairing a meeting on water resources and storage here on Thursday, the prime minister said the construction of new dams would be made with the consensus of all provinces while projects of undisputed reservoirs would be completed on a priority basis.

Emphasising the urgency of enhancing water storage, Shehbaz ordered the establishment of a high-powered committee under Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar to oversee funding strategies for new dam projects. The committee will include all provincial and Gilgit-Baltistan chief ministers, the AJK prime minister of AJK and relevant federal ministers, and is directed to submit its recommendations within 72 hours.

“We will prioritise the construction of non-controversial reservoirs. Wherever there is unanimity, we must act without delay. These dams are not political — they are a national necessity,” the prime minister said. He made it clear that any project with cross-provincial consensus will be fast-tracked and completed on a priority basis.

All provincial chief ministers, along with the leadership of AJK and Gilgit-Baltistan, strongly condemned India’s water threats and unanimously reaffirmed their support for the federal government’s position.

On the occasion, the federal and provincial governments pledged to ensure water security like “Bunyanum Marsoos”.

A detailed briefing was given during the meeting on Pakistan’s water infrastructure. Officials informed the participants that construction of the Diamer-Bhasha Dam is underway and expected to be completed by 2032, while the Mohmand Dam is likely to be completed by 2027. Currently, Pakistan has 11 dams with a total storage capacity of 15.318 million acre-feet. Under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP), 32 small and large dams are under construction, while 79 projects are underway under annual development programs. PM Shehbaz also pointed to the serious problem of silting in existing reservoirs like Tarbela and Mangla, which has drastically reduced their water retention capacities. He said bold decisions must be taken now, or history will judge today’s leadership harshly.

“We owe it to our 240 million people to act decisively. This is not about politics — it’s about survival. The future generations must remember this leadership with respect for the choices we make today,” he declared.

PM Shehbaz congratulated the Finance Minister, Economic Affairs Minister, and relevant secretaries for successfully securing loans from the World Bank and Asian Development Bank despite strong Indian lobbying. “India tried to sabotage our projects at the ADB for three days, but failed. Our diplomatic victory is a testament to Pakistan’s principled stand and growing credibility,” he noted.

Concluding the meeting, the prime minister reaffirmed his unwavering belief in the collective strength of Pakistan’s national, provincial, and military leadership. “Just as our brave armed forces stood firm in the battlefield, we must now stand united in securing every drop of water for our people,” he said.

The meeting was attended by DPM Ishaq Dar, Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal and other senior officials and chief ministers. Later, Prime Minister Shehbaz arrived in Jeddah on a two-day visit to Saudi Arabia on the invitation of Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulziz Al Saud.

On his arrival, the prime minister was received by Jeddah Governor Prince Saud bin Abdullah Jalawi, Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador in Pakistan Nawaf bin Saeed Al- Malkiy, Pakistan’s Ambassador in Saudi Arabia Ahmed Farooq and high level diplomatic officials. The prime minister and his delegation left for Makkah al-Mukarramah from Jeddah to perform Umrah.