In a fiery speech in Pakistan’s National Assembly, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari compared Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to a “cheap copy of Netanyahu,” referring to the Israeli leader known for his aggressive regional stance.
“In our region, we also have a Temu copy of Netanyahu — and we defeated him not only in warfare but also in diplomacy and narrative,” Bilawal stated during his address.
The former foreign minister emphasized that Pakistan had effectively countered India’s narrative on global platforms, including the United Nations and Washington. “Wherever we went, we presented Pakistan’s case. Representatives of that cheap copy followed us everywhere, but they couldn’t match our narrative,” he added.
He highlighted how Indian lobbying efforts in the US had failed to discredit Pakistan. “Despite the heavy presence of pro-Israel and pro-India lobbies in Washington, Pakistan’s viewpoint prevailed. Even U.S. military leaders rejected the Indian stance during congressional briefings,” he said.
Bilawal also warned against India’s threats regarding water aggression, saying:
“If India blocks our rivers or builds illegal dams, we’ll be forced into another war. Pakistan’s National Security Committee has made it clear — any such act will mean war, and we will ensure that the waters reach our people.”
He praised the current government’s policies for economic improvement and confirmed PPP’s support for the federal budget. “Inflation is declining, and for the first time, the budget isn’t just about numbers. It’s about priorities,” he noted.
He emphasized that Pakistan had increased defense spending while also boosting poverty alleviation programs like the Benazir Income Support Programme, which received a 20% budget increase. “We are preparing for war, yes, but we are also standing by our poor.”
Bilawal didn’t hold back criticism against the PTI founder and opposition leaders, especially regarding their stance on Kashmir and national defense:
“When Kashmir was attacked, the former Prime Minister said: ‘What should I do? Do you want me to attack India?’ Today, we gave a fitting response to India. Now Kashmir is no longer seen as an internal Indian issue — it’s a global matter.”
He ridiculed the opposition’s repetitive call to release their imprisoned leader, saying:
“While we talk about fighting terrorism and defending borders, all they say is: release the prisoner. Maybe that’s what your voters want, but the rest of the country doesn’t agree.”
On Middle Eastern tensions, Bilawal condemned attacks on Iran and its nuclear facilities:
“We strongly condemn the Israeli and U.S. aggression on Iran. Attacks on nuclear sites without proof are a violation of international law. These reckless actions put the lives of Iranian civilians at risk and destabilize the entire region.”
He concluded by warning that Israel is dragging the U.S. into a war that even its own citizens do not support, and stressed the importance of respecting Iran’s sovereignty.
