Pakistan’s Plea, India’s Silence (Video)

Video: Bilawal Bhutto Zardari Former Foreign Minister of Pakistan Press Conference at the UN

By Ahmed Fathi

UNHQ, New York – At a packed press conference at UN headquarters in New York, former Foreign Minister of Pakistan and current head of a high-level parliamentary delegation, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, offered a pointed and impassioned perspective on the recent military escalation between Pakistan and India. He called on the international community to “step beyond rhetorical concern” and actively facilitate a sustained peace process between two nuclear-armed neighbors on the brink.

The tone was both firm and reflective as Bhutto Zardari laid out Pakistan’s narrative of the events that unfolded after the April 22 terrorist attack in Indian-administered Kashmir. He accused India of launching “illegal strikes” on Pakistani soil on May 7—an action he described as a breach of international law and the UN Charter, resulting in civilian casualties and the targeting of critical infrastructure, including religious sites and dams.

“We did not strike first,” Bhutto Zardari said. “Our response was one of restraint and precision.” He emphasized that Pakistan downed only the six Indian planes confirmed to have released ordnance on Pakistani territory, despite having twenty aircraft in its radar lock.

Highlighting the role of U.S. mediation, he credited President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio for brokering the current ceasefire. But he warned the truce is fragile: “We are less safe today than before the ceasefire. The threshold for military conflict between two nuclear-armed states has dangerously dropped.”

ATN Questions: On Demonization and Trade Strategy

During the Q&A, (From Min 35:12 till 40:45) I asked Mr. Bhutto Zardari to clarify his earlier remark about India using terrorism as a political tool to demonize Muslims—particularly given that Indian Muslim officers were involved in the official briefing after the April attack.

“Terrorism is used by India to demonize not just Muslims in Kashmir but also across the Indian mainland,” he replied, clarifying that his criticism extended beyond the immediate incident. “It’s a political tool, a wolf whistle to stir sentiment against Muslims, both domestically and regionally.”

In a follow-up, I raised the issue of Pakistan’s positioning in the ongoing global economic rivalry between the U.S. and China—especially in light of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and increased scrutiny of infrastructure investments.

Bhutto Zardari was quick to highlight Pakistan’s pragmatic posture: “Yes, we do trade with China, but so does the United States. Our trade policy should not be viewed through a Cold War lens. We're engaging Washington not to pick sides, but to expand cooperation.”

He added that a U.S. trade delegation would soon visit Pakistan, signaling Islamabad’s interest in rebalancing its commercial relations despite its strategic ties with Beijing. “We’re confident in our relationships—with our neighbors and with Washington.”

Broader Themes: Terrorism, Kashmir, and the Weaponization of Water

Bhutto Zardari painted a dire picture of South Asia’s future unless dialogue replaces doctrine. “We can’t let non-state actors dictate the fate of 1.7 billion people,” he said. He called for a trilateral conversation—on terrorism, the Kashmir dispute, and the alarming “weaponization of water.”

He accused India of violating the Indus Waters Treaty, warning that threats to dam or divert water affecting over 200 million Pakistanis would be considered an act of war. “This isn’t rhetoric,” he said. “No civilized nation should normalize the use of water as a weapon, especially under climate stress.”

International Reception and Critique

Asked by other correspondents whether his appeals were gaining traction, Bhutto Zardari noted that while some members of the UN Security Council remained noncommittal on Kashmir, there was “clear receptiveness” to Pakistan’s broader agenda—especially on transparency, water security, and de-escalation mechanisms.

He also didn’t mince words when discussing India’s global messaging: “They carry around a photo of a man leading funeral prayers and say ‘this man is a terrorist.’ It’s disinformation. He shares a name with a sanctioned individual, but he’s not the same person.” He added, “Painting all Muslims with the brush of terrorism is a tactic that may have worked in 2001. It doesn’t work in 2025.”

Historical Echoes and Final Appeal

In a striking historical metaphor, Bhutto Zardari invoked the Indus Valley Civilization: “Archaeologists have never found a single weapon among its ruins. Are we to become the civilization that turned swords into digital missiles?”

He left the press corps with a direct message: “The Indian government has a choice. Pursue peace, and be the heir of an ancient, nonviolent civilization. Or continue this path of aggression, risking a regional—and perhaps global—catastrophe.”

As the delegation moves to Washington, the next chapter of this diplomatic campaign may unfold behind closed doors. But today, in New York, Pakistan’s message was loud, layered, and unmistakably urgent.