Pak-India intelligence tie-up can address terror woes, says Bilawal

PPP chairman and former foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has said that cooperation between Pakistan and India’s intelligence agencies could significantly reduce terrorism in South Asia.

The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chairman, who is currently leading a high-powered delegation to the US as part of a global diplomatic push to seek support following its recent conflict with India, was speaking at a press conference at UN Headquarters on Tuesday.

“I am completely confident that if ISI and RAW were ready to sit down and work together to fight these forces, we would see a significant decrease in terrorism in both India and Pakistan,” Bhutto-Zardari said.

He also urged the global community to remain engaged in South Asia, warning that the risk of conflict between nuclear-armed neighbours had grown, not diminished, after the recent ceasefire.

He was called out here by a journalist on his comments about alleged “demonisation” of Muslims in India.

During the question-answer session, Egyptian-American journalist Ahmad Fathi asked Bilawal about his comments on India’s treatment of Muslims and reminded him that it was an Indian Muslim military officer who was briefing the media during the conflict.

“You said the attack in Kashmir is being used as a political tool to demonise Muslims in India. Sir, I have watched the briefings on both sides — there were Muslim Indian military officers who were conducting the briefing,” Fathi said. He was about to ask his second question when Bilawal stopped him mid-sentence, going on to criticise India and continued his usual rhetoric.

Chances of conflict revival with Delhi remote: Minister

Pakistan Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Wednesday said that the chance of revival of an armed conflict between Pakistan and India is remote but warned of a befitting response in case of any such development.

Dar’s comment came while responding to a question during his press conference giving details of PM Shehbaz Sharif’s recent visit to Turkiye, Iran, Azerbaijan and Tajikistan and to thank the respective leadership for support during the last month’s conflict with India.

When asked about a possible new round of fighting, Dar said that chances were slim. “The ceasefire is holding and all steps regarding withdrawal of troops have been implemented by the two sides in letter and spirit,” he added.