Bilawal Bhutto Says India Hiding After War Defeat; Vows Restored Politics in Kashmir at AJK PM Oath Ceremony
MUZAFFARABAD: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Monday said that after the recent conflict, “Pakistan’s standard is before the world while Modi is hiding his face,” adding that India has not only “lost wars but will now lose its conspiracies as well.”
He expressed these views while addressing the oath-taking ceremony of the newly elected Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), Raja Faisal Mumtaz Rathore, held in Muzaffarabad. Bilawal congratulated the people of Kashmir, saying political activity in the region had been restored. “We will not run the government of AJK from behind closed doors,” he said.
Bilawal said the Kashmiri people have unmatched political awareness and recalled the longstanding bond between PPP and Kashmir spanning three generations. He noted that whenever Kashmiris protested for their rights, PPP stood with them, adding that the public’s mandate was once stolen to bring Imran Khan to power.
The PPP chairman also criticized the Indian government, saying, “India is fleeing world forums, hiding from global scrutiny. The international community will remind them of the downed jets. They attempt to damage the brotherhood between Pakistan and Kashmir but will fail.”
Earlier, Bilawal praised Faisal Rathore for being present with the people during difficult times. “The promises Faisal Rathore made to the people are a trust with me,” he said.
Newly sworn-in AJK Prime Minister Faisal Mumtaz Rathore, in his address, thanked Asif Ali Zardari, Faryal Talpur and Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari for placing confidence in him. He said leading AJK in such a challenging period was not easy, but he would strive to meet public expectations. He vowed to rebuild the trust between representatives and the people, affirming PPP’s commitment to reconnecting with the masses.
Rathore also paid tribute to the Pakistan Army and local commanders “who are sacrificing their lives for our defence.”
The oath-taking ceremony was held at the President House where AJK Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Latif Akbar administered the oath. The event was attended by Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, Governor Gilgit-Baltistan Syed Mehdi Shah, Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi, Faryal Talpur, members of the AJK Assembly, senior civil officials and military representatives.
