Bilawal hails Pakistan's '7-0' war victory

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Tuesday said the "crushing defeat" dealt to India during the May War was historic, claiming Pakistan's international standing had strengthened while India continued to face reminders of the "7-0 defeat" — a reference to the seven Indian aircraft shot down during the brief military escalation.

Addressing the oath-taking ceremony of AJK Prime Minister Faisal Mumtaz Rathore, Bilawal said as a former foreign minister, "I can assert that Pakistan's international standing is gaining respect".

"Meanwhile, Modi is hiding from the world, whether at the United Nations or ASEAN forums. He has been defeated like a coward, and he knows he will be reminded of the 7-0 defeat."

He added that every child knew India's agenda regarding Kashmir to create infighting and undermine the brotherly bond between Pakistan and Kashmir. "This conspiracy of the Modi government will not succeed. Nothing can taint the relationship between the people of Azad Kashmir and Pakistan," he said.

Recalling historical moments from the PPP's legacy, Bilawal said people "would stand in lines to meet Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto", a fact also mentioned by Hillary Clinton in her book.

He added that the only time Benazir Bhutto herself waited in line was "for the people of Kashmir", when she stood outside the Saudi King's door at an OIC meeting "with a file in hand," telling the King she was there "for her brothers in Kashmir".

Bilawal said it remained his desire for Kashmir to attain membership in the OIC. As foreign minister, he recalled chairing a meeting of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers, during which he invited the then president of Kashmir to speak.

He further recalled that the PPP's bond with Kashmir spans three generations and vowed that the party would continue to champion their cause. "In six months, we will return to the Kashmiri people, seek their mandate, and form the government," he said.

Earlier in his address, Bilawal instructed the newly elected AJK prime minister to directly engage with the public and redress their grievances at the local level.

He advised Rathore to "visit every nook and corner of AJK and hold open kachehris, as Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto once did."