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Government sources said Bilawal’s aggressive rhetoric, such as threatening that ‘blood will flow’ over the Indus Waters Treaty, is problematic for global moderates
Bilawal’s peace mission is seen as a diversion by Pakistan’s army to mask its hybrid warfare and ISI-backed terrorism. (AP)
Pakistan’s top political leaders are displeased with Bilawal Bhutto‘s selection as the leader of a delegation to present the country’s “case for peace” on the global stage—a copycat move after India decided to send delegations to several countries and present evidence as well as its stance on the zero-tolerance policy against terrorism and the Pahalgam terror attack, which led to Operation Sindoor.
According to top government sources, Bilawal faces significant credibility issues, and matching the legacy of Shashi Tharoor—who will lead one of India’s delegations—seems impossible for him. “His speech may end up being rhetoric without facts,” the sources said.
During his tenure as foreign minister from 2022 to 2023, Bilawal failed to manage escalating tensions with India. “His aggressive rhetoric, such as threatening that “blood will flow” over the Indus Waters Treaty, is problematic for global moderates. Such statements reinforce perceptions of Pakistan’s reliance on its military and terrorist tactics.”
In contrast, Shashi Tharoora seasoned parliamentarian and former UN Under-Secretary-General, can effectively articulate India’s no-first-use nuclear policy and maintain a balanced yet firm stance. Tharoor’s leadership of a cross-party Indian delegation under Operation Sindoor reflects national unity, as he belongs to the main opposition party.
Bilawal’s peace mission is seen as a diversion by Pakistan’s army to mask its hybrid warfare and ISI-backed terrorism. His delegation includes figures like Hina Rabbani Khar, who also lacks global credibility. Bilawal’s speeches are often controversial and counterproductive to peace. His threats over water disputes and Kashmir are at odds with his mission’s objectives.
Tharoor, meanwhile, enjoys unified backing and cross-party consensus. The inclusion of leaders from BJP, DMK, and Shiv Sena in India’s delegation underscores the country’s national unity against terrorism, presenting a stark contrast to Pakistan’s army-driven politics, the sources added.
“Bilawal Bhutto’s political effectiveness is compromised and guided by Pakistan’s military, while Shashi Tharoor’s strategic clarity, bipartisan support, and ability to frame India’s stance on terrorism position him as a far more effective representative. Bilawal, on the other hand, struggles to reconcile Pakistan’s dual identity as both a victim and aggressor.”
The last time Pakistan copied India was when their prime minister Shehbaz Sharif visited a military base in Sialkot soon after Prime Minister Narendra Modi went to Adampur airbase in Punjab and interacted with air warriors and jawans. He also addressed them with the S-400 air defence system in the background—which Pakistan had claimed to have shot down.
- Location :
Islamabad, Pakistan
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