Bilawal Bhutto Stumped by Journalist at UN Press Meet
NEW DELHI, June 4: The Former Pakistan minister and chief of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto was stumped by a journalist’s question at a UN media interaction after he alleged that the Pahalgam terror attack “was being used as a political tool to demonise Muslims in India.”
Veteran journalist Ahmed Fathi promptly referred to “Muslim Indian military officers” who were part of the government’s briefings during the conflict. Bhutto had no answer to this and went on to rant and make baseless allegations against India.
Ahmed Fathi referred to Bhutto’s statement alleging demonisation of Muslims in India, and added, “Sir, I have watched the briefings on both sides and as far as I recall, there were Muslim Indian military officers who were conducting briefings on the Indian side.” The reference was unmissable: Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, who articulated the Indian position during Operation Sindoor and emerged as an inspiration for the country.
Bhutto replied, “Well, as far as the operation is concerned, you are absolutely right.” To this, Ahmed Fathi replied, “Okay.” Before he could ask the next question, Bhutto interrupted and ranted for a while, making wild allegations against India. But the journalist had made his point.
Bilawal Bhutto is a Pakistan National Assembly member and the Chairman of the Pakistan People’s Party. He has earlier served as the country’s Foreign Minister. During the UN press meet, Bilawal Bhutto also acknowledged that Islamabad’s efforts to raise the Kashmir issue at international forums have faced obstacles. “As far as the hurdles we face within the UN and in general, as far as the Kashmir cause is concerned, that still exists,” he said.
In a copycat move after India launched a global outreach exercise after the recent conflict, Pakistan too has sent delegations abroad. Bilawal Bhutto is leading one of these delegations. Earlier, Bilawal Bhutto made headlines for his provocative remarks, widely seen as a sign of political immaturity. Following India’s decision to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty in the wake of the Pahalgam attack that left 26 innocents dead, he said, “The Indus is ours and will remain ours – either our water will flow through it, or their blood.”
Among those who panned Bhutto’s reckless remark was AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi. The Hyderabad MP said Bhutto should remember who killed his mother and former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and his grandfather and the country’s former President Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.
“Forget about such childish talk. He doesn’t know what happened to his grandfather? His mother? His mother was killed by terrorists. So at least, he should not be speaking like this. Do you even know what you are talking about? Unless the US gives you something, you cannot run the country and you are trying to stare us down.”
“He must think who killed his mother. Terrorism killed her. If he doesn’t get that, what will you explain to him? When they shot your mother, it is terrorism. And when they kill our mothers and daughters, it is not?” Mr Owaisi said.
Official sources point out that Bilawal Bhutto’s speech at the UN and his broader diplomatic efforts lacked substantial credibility. “His rhetoric against India is undiplomatic, and as foreign minister, he was known for taking holidays at government expense. He appears to be doing the same now without a proper briefing,” sources said.
Bhutto has made deliberate personal attacks on the Indian leadership. A Sindhi leader has accused the army of using Bilawal as a propaganda tool to distract from Pakistan’s internal crises, including human rights abuses in Sindh, Balochistan, and PoGB, said sources. Bilawal’s inability to address a journalist who referred to “Muslim Indian military officers” as part of the Indian government’s briefings during last month’s conflict highlighted his delegation’s poor preparation.
High-ranking government sources noted that Bilawal repeatedly targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi with inflammatory language, likening him to a “Temu version of Netanyahu.” Such personal attacks violate diplomatic norms, which focus on state conduct rather than individual condemnation. He claimed that India demonises Muslims, but a journalist making a reference to Colonel Sofiya Qureshi stumped him.
Bilawal framed India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty as a violation of the UN Charter, warning that enforcing it could be seen as an act of war. “This language is inconsistent with diplomatic efforts aimed at finding solutions. He asserted Pakistan’s innocence regarding the Pahalgam attack while ignoring evidence of involvement by Pakistan-based terror groups, including Saifullah Kasuri,” a source said.
While advocating for comprehensive dialogue, Bilawal simultaneously accused India of aggressive posturing and violating international law. He credited the US for the India-Pakistan ceasefire but overlooked that the agreement was finalised through direct talks, initiated by a call from Pakistan’s DGMO.
(Manas Dasgupta)
