At a time when India and Pakistan are beginning to emerge from the shadow of the post-Pahalgam conflict, fresh and unexpected allegations have surfaced – whose potential extends to ensuring that the standoff between the two nations remains far from resolved.
Shafi Burfat, the chairman of Jeay Sindh Muttahida Mahaz (JSMM), has issued a strongly worded statement stating that Pakistan’s military establishment is manipulating Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), to advance its geopolitical objectives – especially with respect to its anti-India campaign on the global stage.
In a post on X, Burfat claimed Bilawal is being lured with the promise of political power – including that of attaining the Prime Minister’s post – in return for leading a global diplomatic offensive against India.
However, he warned that such an alliance is short-lived, claiming that Bilawal could meet the same fate as his grandfather, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, and his mother, Benazir Bhutto – both of who were assassinated under controversial circumstances.
He labelled it as a recurring betrayal, rooted in an ongoing trend fostered by the Punjab-led military elite.
Burfat further stated that the PPP has long failed to represent the genuine interests of Sindh and its people. According to him, the party acts as a political proxy for Punjab, catering to the interests of feudal landlords rather than standing up for Sindhi rights or autonomy.
Calling Bhutto a “power-hungry, immature, and unserious” politician, Burfat accused him of supporting Pakistani establishment’s misleading narratives against India. He also pointed towards the deep-rooted spiritual, historical and cultural links between Sindh and India, rejecting the portrayal of India as an enemy.
Stepping up his criticism, the JSMM chairman alleged that Pakistan – and specifically its military -- serves as an instrument of regional destabilisation, manipulated by foreign powers such as China and Turkey to undermine India. He referred to supposed Pakistani involvement in violent acts in places like Pahalgam and harshly criticised the military for what he called acts of terrorism.
He said that the Sindhi people do not stand by the actions of Bilawal on the global stage, adding that Sindhis consider India as a friend and neighbour.
"We Sindhis consider India our friend and neighbour. If the Punjabi establishment views India as an enemy, that is their thinking, not ours" said Burfat.
Just few days back, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reportedly appointed former foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari to lead a high-profile delegation tasked with promoting Islamabad’s so-called “case for peace” on the global stage, following in the steps of India. According to a statement from the Pakistani Prime Minister’s Office, the delegation aims to “expose Indian propaganda” and highlight Pakistan’s efforts toward regional peace, Geo News reported.
The move came after New Delhi announced a plan to send its delegation abroad to present a case against terrorism days after the two countries were involved in a military conflict.
India-Pakistan conflict:
The Indian armed forces carried out missile strikes early on May 7 at nine terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK), including the Jaish-e-Mohammad stronghold of Bahawalpur and Lashkar-e-Taiba's Muridke base.
The strikes were conducted under Operation Sindoor two weeks after the execution-style killing of 26 civilians in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam.
Over 100 terrorists, including high-value targets such as Yusuf Azhar, Abdul Malik Rauf and Mudasir Ahmed, were eliminated during Operation Sindoor, according to the Indian military.
India and Pakistan reached an agreement on May 10 to halt military actions after four days of intense cross-border drone and missile strikes.
Following the pause, the Union government formed seven delegations comprising 51 political leaders, parliamentarians and former ministers cutting across party lines who will travel to world capitals to put across India's resolve to tackle terrorism.
(With agency inputs)
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