"I too am a victim of terrorism": Bilawal says Pakistan not a terror facilitator

Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has firmly rejected claims that Pakistan supports terrorist organisations, asserting that the country has itself borne the brunt of terrorism for decades.

In an interview with Indian journalist Karan Thapar, Bilawal stated, “Pakistan does not willingly allow any group to conduct terrorist attacks inside or outside Pakistan.”

He emphasised that Pakistan has been on the forefront in the fight against terrorism, both militarily and socially.

“Pakistan has been engaged in the largest inland war against terrorism. We have lost 92,000 lives in total. Just last year alone, over 1,200 civilians were killed in more than 200 terrorist incidents,” he said.

Bilawal cautioned that if the current trajectory of attacks continues, 2025 could become “the bloodiest year in Pakistan’s history.”

Reflecting on his personal experience, he said, “I, too, am a victim of terrorism. My mother, former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, was assassinated. I deeply understand the trauma that victims’ families endure, including those affected by the Pahalgam attack.”

He also highlighted Pakistan’s historical counter-terrorism efforts, pointing to military operations initiated under previous governments.

“Following my mother’s assassination, an operation was launched in South Waziristan, and the next government carried out another in North Waziristan,” he said, underscoring that Pakistan has taken active steps to dismantle terrorist networks on its soil.