The hazy picture about who will form Pakistan's next government seems to be clearing out. Now in a major breakthrough, the Nawaz Sharif led PML-N and Bilawal Bhutto Zardari led PPP have in principle agreed on political cooperation. Watch to know more!

Pakistan Elections: PPP & PML-N issue joint statement, agree on political cooperation

After a long wait of over three days, Pakistan's Election Commission has declared the results of 265 constituencies that went to polls. The independent candidates linked to Imran Khan's PTI are sitting at 101 seat victory. Watch to know more!

Pakistan Elections Results: Independent candidates lead with 101 seats

Counting of votes began in Pakistan after the polling, marred by violence and terror attacks, ended on Thursday evening. According to Interior Ministry, the internet services have been partially restored in parts of the country. Amid the unrest and violence in many constituencies, the government had suspended mobile and internet services across the nation.

Pakistan elections 2024: Delay in results prompt rigging speculations

As Pakistan goes to vote on February 8, democracy in the country becomes a war zone. The battle lines are clear. On one side is Imran Khan, who has been slapped with a third jail sentence in a week, on the other hand is the powerful army, which is hell-bent on stopping the popular PTI leader, from returning to power. How will the people respond? How far will the Pakistani military go to rig the polls?

Gravitas | Pak Elections: Army cheats to stop Imran Khan's return

Pakistan People's Party leader Aseefa Bhutto is leading the campaign for Bilawal Bhutto. Aseefa Bhutto has vowed to carry forward her late mother's (Benazir Bhutto) vision for the marginalized. She's not running for the elections but is actively campaigning for her brother Bilawal Bhutto. Watch to know more!

Pakistan Elections 2024: Bhutto siblings lead PPP's political campaign

With the general elections just a week away, campaigning has peaked in Pakistan. One of the three main parties in the fray is the Pakistan Peoples Party, led by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. Our Pakistan bureau chief, Anas Malick, caught up with him on a range of issues, including the party's electoral prospects, the possibility of allying with current rivals and his party's approach towards neighbour India.

Pakistan People's Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari speaks to WION | Pakistan Elections 2024

The ground for the next general elections is ready in Pakistan and so are the candidates. The country will go to polls in two weeks. Pakistan People's Party chairman, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has now challenged PML-N supremo, Nawaz sharif to an open debate. While the Nawaz faction of the Pakistan Muslim league has released its much-anticipated manifesto. Watch to know more!

Pakistan elections 2024: Parties release their manifesto, calls for restoring Article 370 in Kashmir

Pakistan elections 2024: Parties call for restoring Article 370 in Kashmir

Election campaigning picks up pace in Pakistan. Pakistan Peoples Party chief holds rally in Lahore. Bhutto said, "Victory of PPP will be a win for average Pakistani." Watch to know more!

Pakistan: Bilawal Bhutto attacks Nawaz Sharif, says 'end politics of revenge'

Youth appeal and ambitious plans to combat climate change form the core of Bilawal Bhutto Zardari's effort to become Prime Minister of Pakistan, which, if successful, would make him its youngest Premier since his mother Benazir was in office.

As the Feb. 8 general elections draw near, the 35-year-old former foreign minister and scion of Bhutto family that gave the nation two Prime Ministers, called for new ideas and leadership to calm political and economic instability.

"The implications of the decisions taken today are going to be faced by the youth of Pakistan," Bilawal told Reuters in Larkana, his hometown in the southern province of Sind, a family bastion.

"I think it would be better if they were allowed to make those decisions."

About two-thirds of Pakistan's population of 241 million is younger than 30, while its Prime Ministers since 2000 have been older than 61, on average.

The Oxford-educated Bhutto is less than half the age of three-time Premier Nawaz Sharif, 74, whom analysts consider the frontrunner in next month's election, and former cricket superstar Imran Khan, 71, who won the last election in 2018.

Watch | Bilawal Bhutto attacks Nawaz Sharif's 'old politics' of corruption, vendetta

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The eventual winner faces the task of reviving a struggling $350-billion economy grappling with historic inflation and an unstable currency that limit growth and job opportunities for the young.

The South Asian nation received a $3-billion loan programme from the IMF in July that averted a sovereign debt default in a standby arrangement set to expire this spring.

Bhutto plans to tap into widespread anger, saying he has a concrete plan to provide free electricity and boost social safety programmes, despite fiscal constraints.

"What we propose is to completely restructure Pakistan's development model, putting the threat of climate change front and centre," he said, in a reflection of his party's election manifesto.

Making a promise rare in Pakistan, it aims to ensure that funds exceeding $10 billion pledged last year go to fight climate change, after super floods in 2022 that displaced more than 7 million people.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-political-debate-turned-ugly-as-father-killed-son-over-hoisting-ptis-flag-682932">Pakistan: Political debate turns ugly as father kills son over hoisting PTI’s flag</a>

A member of Pakistan's most powerful political dynasty, Bhutto spoke in an interview during a gruelling four-week campaign that took him to more than 33 towns, while other parties began canvassing just last week.

He is the son of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, assassinated while on a campaign trail in 2007, and the grandson of former Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, hanged by a military dictator in 1979, both still venerated by Pakistanis.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-reopens-border-crossing-with-afghanistan-after-deadlock-over-visa-requirements-683062">Pakistan reopens border crossing with Afghanistan after deadlock over visa requirements</a>

If Bhutto wins the election, subject to the vagaries of government formation, calculations show he could be just 25 days short of his mother's age on entering office in 1988, at the earliest.

"I haven't actually counted, but ... I think she was the youngest," he responded, when asked how he rated his chances.

Alternative choice 
 
However, his Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has lost space to the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) of Sharif and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) of Khan, who have been locked in a bruising political battle for more than a decade.

Positioning himself as an alternate to them in 2024, he recently called on supporters of Khan to vote for him while their leader is in jail.

In the 2013 elections, the PPP came second after Sharif's party, garnering 42 of the 342 seats up for grabs. In 2018, with 54 seats, it was runner-up to the parties of both Sharif and Khan.

Bhutto ruled out joining hands with either contender, however, saying he preferred to form a government with independent candidates.

"You know, lots of independent politicians, probably the highest (number) in our history, are taking part in the coming elections," he added.

Most of the independents belong to Khan's party, which lost the right this month to contest on a single platform, making the approaching election the most open in recent times.

However, one analyst felt the role of Prime Minister might be a tough goal for Bhutto, saying his party had struggled to build its political strength.

"One might be tempted to look at Bilawal as a dark horse candidate for Prime Minister," said Michael Kugelman, director of the Wilson Center's South Asia Institute, as he appeared to be favoured by the military and had been foreign minister.

"But I don't see him as prime minister material just yet," Kugelman added. "The election will likely lead to a coalition government, and Mr. Bilawal could be in the mix for a cabinet-level position, but the top slot is likely too much of a reach."

Instead, Pakistan's army may prefer more experienced leaders, such as Sharif, he said.

Analysts believe the powerful military has thrown its backing to Sharif following a standoff with Khan, giving the former an edge in a country where army generals exert undue influence over setting up governments.

The military denies the accusations, and says it remains apolitical.

Bhutto asked if he thought the military-backed Sharif, responded, "He's certainly giving the impression that he is relying on something other than the people of Pakistan to become Prime Minister for the fourth time."

Questions of transparency will hover over the 2024 elections, just as with earlier ones, he added, but he and his party hoped to win against expectations.

Pushed into the political fray as a teenager in 2007, after his mother's assassination,&nbsp;Bhutto later inherited her party but steered clear of politics until he finished his education.

His father, Asif Ali Zardari, was elected President after Benazir's death.

Bilawal won a parliamentary seat in his first contest in 2018, which was followed by a 16-month stint as Foreign Minister, until August 2023.

Youth appeal and ambitious plans to combat climate change form the core of Bilawal Bhutto Zardari's effort to become Prime Minister of Pakistan, which, if successful, would make him its youngest Premier since his mother Benazir was in office.

Youth appeal and ambitious plans to combat climate change form the core of Bilawal Bhutto Zardari's effort to become Prime Minister of Pakistan, which, if successful, would make him its youngest Premier since his mother Benazir was in office. As the Feb. 8 general elections draw near, the 35-year-old former foreign minister and scion of Bhutto family that gave the nation two Prime Ministers, called for new ideas and leadership to calm political and economic instability. "The implications of the decisions taken today are going to be faced by the youth of Pakistan," Bilawal told Reuters in Larkana, his hometown in the southern province of Sind, a family bastion. "I think it would be better if they were allowed to make those decisions." About two-thirds of Pakistan's population of 241 million is younger than 30, while its Prime Ministers since 2000 have been older than 61, on average. The Oxford-educated Bhutto is less than half the age of three-time Premier Nawaz Sharif, 74, whom analysts consider the frontrunner in next month's election, and former cricket superstar Imran Khan, 71, who won the last election in 2018. Watch | Bilawal Bhutto attacks Nawaz Sharif's 'old politics' of corruption, vendetta × The eventual winner faces the task of reviving a struggling $350-billion economy grappling with historic inflation and an unstable currency that limit growth and job opportunities for the young. The South Asian nation received a $3-billion loan programme from the IMF in July that averted a sovereign debt default in a standby arrangement set to expire this spring. Bhutto plans to tap into widespread anger, saying he has a concrete plan to provide free electricity and boost social safety programmes, despite fiscal constraints. "What we propose is to completely restructure Pakistan's development model, putting the threat of climate change front and centre," he said, in a reflection of his party's election manifesto. Making a promise rare in Pakistan, it aims to ensure that funds exceeding $10 billion pledged last year go to fight climate change, after super floods in 2022 that displaced more than 7 million people. Also Read | Pakistan: Political debate turns ugly as father kills son over hoisting PTI’s flag A member of Pakistan's most powerful political dynasty, Bhutto spoke in an interview during a gruelling four-week campaign that took him to more than 33 towns, while other parties began canvassing just last week. He is the son of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, assassinated while on a campaign trail in 2007, and the grandson of former Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, hanged by a military dictator in 1979, both still venerated by Pakistanis. Also Read | Pakistan reopens border crossing with Afghanistan after deadlock over visa requirements If Bhutto wins the election, subject to the vagaries of government formation, calculations show he could be just 25 days short of his mother's age on entering office in 1988, at the earliest. "I haven't actually counted, but ... I think she was the youngest," he responded, when asked how he rated his chances. Alternative choice However, his Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has lost space to the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) of Sharif and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) of Khan, who have been locked in a bruising political battle for more than a decade. Positioning himself as an alternate to them in 2024, he recently called on supporters of Khan to vote for him while their leader is in jail. In the 2013 elections, the PPP came second after Sharif's party, garnering 42 of the 342 seats up for grabs. In 2018, with 54 seats, it was runner-up to the parties of both Sharif and Khan. Bhutto ruled out joining hands with either contender, however, saying he preferred to form a government with independent candidates. "You know, lots of independent politicians, probably the highest (number) in our history, are taking part in the coming elections," he added. Most of the independents belong to Khan's party, which lost the right this month to contest on a single platform, making the approaching election the most open in recent times. However, one analyst felt the role of Prime Minister might be a tough goal for Bhutto, saying his party had struggled to build its political strength. "One might be tempted to look at Bilawal as a dark horse candidate for Prime Minister," said Michael Kugelman, director of the Wilson Center's South Asia Institute, as he appeared to be favoured by the military and had been foreign minister. "But I don't see him as prime minister material just yet," Kugelman added. "The election will likely lead to a coalition government, and Mr. Bilawal could be in the mix for a cabinet-level position, but the top slot is likely too much of a reach." Instead, Pakistan's army may prefer more experienced leaders, such as Sharif, he said. Analysts believe the powerful military has thrown its backing to Sharif following a standoff with Khan, giving the former an edge in a country where army generals exert undue influence over setting up governments. The military denies the accusations, and says it remains apolitical. Bhutto asked if he thought the military-backed Sharif, responded, "He's certainly giving the impression that he is relying on something other than the people of Pakistan to become Prime Minister for the fourth time." Questions of transparency will hover over the 2024 elections, just as with earlier ones, he added, but he and his party hoped to win against expectations. Pushed into the political fray as a teenager in 2007, after his mother's assassination, Bhutto later inherited her party but steered clear of politics until he finished his education. His father, Asif Ali Zardari, was elected President after Benazir's death. Bilawal won a parliamentary seat in his first contest in 2018, which was followed by a 16-month stint as Foreign Minister, until August 2023.

Bhutto scion aims to focus on Pakistan’s youth, break with old politics

Bilawal Bhutto attacks Nawaz Sharif's 'old politics' of corruption, vendetta

Pakistan where the ground is ready for the next general elections and so are the candidates taking a dig at their rival candidates. Pakistan People's Party chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari recently said that the country should give a chance to someone new instead of choosing the same prime minister for the second time.

Pakistan: PPP Chairman takes a dig at his rivals ahead of general polls

Nawaz Sharif wants to build a pan-national alliance. He wants to form strategic alliances in all provinces ahead of the Feb 8 polls. But PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari isn't impressed. He advised PML-N party supremo, Nawaz Sharif to “focus on Lahore” for the upcoming general elections. Watch the story to know the reason.

Pakistan Game of Thrones: Nawaz Sharif pushes for nationwide election alliance | World News | WION

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto says the country's leaders should not repeat old mistakes & think about the future of young leaders. Was he talking about Imran Khan's arrest? Here's what Molly Gambhir has to say.

Gravitas: Bilawal Bhutto's cryptic message on Imran Khan's arrest

According to Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the foreign minister of Pakistan, if the terrorism problem is not treated seriously, it could result in catastrophe. Zardari stated that Islamabad believes the Afghan interim government will take the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) issue as its own primary concern.

Pakistan: Bilawal Bhutto reacts to rising terror threat from Afghanistan

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto on Saturday (June 17) threatened to oppose the federal budget if the promised funds for flood-hit areas of Sindh were not released.

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto on Saturday (June 17) threatened to oppose the federal budget if the promised funds for flood-hit areas of Sindh were not released. Addressing a gathering in Khwazakhela, Bhutto, the chairperson of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), said that he did not have any doubt in the sincerity of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif but some people in the cabinet were reluctant to release the required funds for flood-hit people, The News reported. "We will not support the budget if our grievances are not addressed,” Bhutto added. The Foreign Minister also said that if the Muslim League wanted the PPP to vote for this budget, then it was not possible without allocating funds for flood reconstruction. PPP sends high-level committee to PM complaining about budget “We encourage our allies to prepare themselves and contest the elections, so that the next government finds solutions to problems faced by the people,” Bhutto said, adding the PPP sent a high-level committee to Prime Minister Sharif and his team, complaining that the budget contained little of PPP’s input. “We have approached our allies to make them understand that it is imperative that we look after the flood victims in our budget. We have no doubts over the intentions of the PM, as he witnessed the destruction with his own eyes, Bhutto said. "However, we would like to ask the PM to take up the matter with his team and hold those hindering this process accountable. We hope that the finance minister Ishaq Dar and his team will address our concerns and work towards resolving them,” the foreign minister added. Pak unveils budget amid ongoing economic crisis On June 9, Pakistan's Finance Minister Ishaq Dar unveiled a $51 billion budget for 2023-24 amid the ongoing economic crisis. "There are general elections in the country soon, but despite that the next fiscal-year budget is prepared as a responsible budget instead of an election budget," Finance Minister Dar said while presenting the budget to the National Assembly. Dar added the budget was based on the GDP growth of 3.5 per cent, although the World Bank projected a less-ambitious two per cent growth in a report issued earlier this week. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Pakistan: Bilawal Bhutto threatens to oppose federal budget. Here's why

The last time a Pakistani foreign minister visited India, Dr Manmohan Singh was still India's Prime Minister. Rawalpindi's stamp of governance was with Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani in Islamabad's corridors of power. India's Jammu and Kashmir had its special status with Article 370 well placed into India's constitution, and New Delhi was yet to see its meteoric rise as the subcontinent's diplomatic capital.

What remained <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/bilawal-the-first-pakistani-foreign-minister-to-visit-india-in-11-years-588837">constant since 2011</a>&nbsp;is Pakistan's use of so-called "non-state actors" and what New Delhi has often called out as cross-border sponsoring of terrorism akin to Islamabad's state policy.

On Friday, as Pakistani Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari appeared with an on-stage stumble against his Indian counterpart, the two leaders' sharp diplomatic optics concluded the core SCO goal: combating terrorism.

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"Combating terrorism is a core SCO goal. We must not allow anybody, individuals or states, to hide behind the non-state actors," India's foreign minister Dr S&nbsp;Jaishankar told reporters later.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sco-foreign-ministers-meet-jaishankar-shows-mirror-of-terror-to-pakistan-talks-tough-on-china-589322">SCO Foreign Ministers’ meet: Jaishankar shows mirror on terror to Pakistan, talks tough on China</a>

In a stringent reposte to his Pakistani counterpart's remarks earlier in the day, Jaishankar called Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari a "promoter, justifier and spokesperson of a terrorism industry which is the mainstay of Pakistan."

Pakistani foreign minister had said that countries should not "<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sco-foreign-ministers-meet-pakistans-bilawal-bhutto-indirectly-rakes-up-kashmir-589114">get caught up in weaponising terrorism</a>" or attempt to earn diplomatic points for it.

"The references to 'weaponising terrorism' for scoring diplomatic points was a point which will not wash well with the [Indian] interlocutors given Pakistan’s role as the epicentre of terrorism," Anil Wadhwa, a former Indian ambassador and Executive Council member of New Delhi-based Global Counter Terrorism Council, told WION.

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;SCO meet | S Jaishankar on Pakistan: Victims of terrorism do not sit with perpetrators of terrorism

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With an obvious India-Pakistan showdown in Goa, the bleak expectations of such multilateral stumbles turning into bilateral breakthroughs between New Delhi and Islamabad have died down yet again.&nbsp;

"Bilawal's speech had several veiled and unjustified digs at India on chest-thumping, terrorism, fascism, and acting contrary to UNSC, among other issues," Rajiv Bhatia, Distinguished Fellow at Mumbai-based think tank Gateway House and a former Indian ambassador, told WION.

"It will be&nbsp;unrealistic to build any hopes about improvement in the short term in India-Pakistan relations. A big gulf of distrust divides the two largest nations in South Asia," Bhatia added.

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The last time a Pakistani foreign minister visited India, Dr Manmohan Singh was still India's Prime Minister. Rawalpindi's stamp of governance was with Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani in Islamabad's corridors of power.

The last time a Pakistani foreign minister visited India, Dr Manmohan Singh was still India's Prime Minister. Rawalpindi's stamp of governance was with Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani in Islamabad's corridors of power. India's Jammu and Kashmir had its special status with Article 370 well placed into India's constitution, and New Delhi was yet to see its meteoric rise as the subcontinent's diplomatic capital. What remained constant since 2011 is Pakistan's use of so-called "non-state actors" and what New Delhi has often called out as cross-border sponsoring of terrorism akin to Islamabad's state policy. On Friday, as Pakistani Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari appeared with an on-stage stumble against his Indian counterpart, the two leaders' sharp diplomatic optics concluded the core SCO goal: combating terrorism. Watch: EAM Jaishankar, Pakistan FM Bhutto ahead of start of SCO FMs meet in Goa @WIONews https://t.co/MCAX9HXxdA pic.twitter.com/1wNJwfRbKH — Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) May 5, 2023 × "Combating terrorism is a core SCO goal. We must not allow anybody, individuals or states, to hide behind the non-state actors," India's foreign minister Dr S Jaishankar told reporters later. ALSO READ | SCO Foreign Ministers’ meet: Jaishankar shows mirror on terror to Pakistan, talks tough on China In a stringent reposte to his Pakistani counterpart's remarks earlier in the day, Jaishankar called Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari a "promoter, justifier and spokesperson of a terrorism industry which is the mainstay of Pakistan." Pakistani foreign minister had said that countries should not "get caught up in weaponising terrorism" or attempt to earn diplomatic points for it. "The references to 'weaponising terrorism' for scoring diplomatic points was a point which will not wash well with the [Indian] interlocutors given Pakistan’s role as the epicentre of terrorism," Anil Wadhwa, a former Indian ambassador and Executive Council member of New Delhi-based Global Counter Terrorism Council, told WION. ALSO WATCH | SCO meet | S Jaishankar on Pakistan: Victims of terrorism do not sit with perpetrators of terrorism × With an obvious India-Pakistan showdown in Goa, the bleak expectations of such multilateral stumbles turning into bilateral breakthroughs between New Delhi and Islamabad have died down yet again. "Bilawal's speech had several veiled and unjustified digs at India on chest-thumping, terrorism, fascism, and acting contrary to UNSC, among other issues," Rajiv Bhatia, Distinguished Fellow at Mumbai-based think tank Gateway House and a former Indian ambassador, told WION. "It will be unrealistic to build any hopes about improvement in the short term in India-Pakistan relations. A big gulf of distrust divides the two largest nations in South Asia," Bhatia added. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

SCO Goa meet unveils 'big gulf of distrust' between India and Pakistan

Raking up India’s decision to abrogate Article 370 revoking the special status of Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan's foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that it is New Delhi's call to restart peace talks.&nbsp; 
 
Addressing a press conference in Islamabad after his return from Goa where he attended the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation's (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) meeting, Bhutto Zardari said that Pakistan was clear that India should create a conducive environment for talks by restoring the pre-August 5, 2019 status of Kashmir.

The Pakistani minister said revoking the special status of Jammu and Kashmir still remains an unresolved issue&nbsp;between the two nations.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/prosecutors-grant-immunity-to-at-least-8-fake-electors-in-georgia-trump-probe-589425">Prosecutors grant immunity to at least eight 'fake electors' in Georgia Trump probe</a>

Pakistan claims tensions have been simmering since New Delhi abrogated Article 370 of the Constitution on August 5, 2019 and had downgraded diplomatic ties in a reaction to India's decision. On the other hand, India told the international community that the decision to repeal Article 370 is an internal matter of the country.&nbsp;

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/neo-nazi-symbols-fight-in-schoolyard-what-we-know-about-serbias-second-mass-shooting-589423">Neo-Nazi symbols, fight in schoolyard: What we know about Serbia’s second mass shooting</a>

It also urged Pakistan to cease spreading false information against India and to accept the truth. India has expressed its wish for&nbsp;neighbourly ties with Islamabad but only in an atmosphere that is devoid of terrorism.

India held a foreign ministers' meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) on 5 May in Goa which saw the participation of the Pakistani minister as well.

The meeting laid out the groundwork for the upcoming SCO Summit in July in New Delhi. During a press briefing after the SCO summit, India's External Affairs minister Dr S Jaishankar made comments over Bhutto Zardari's mention of India's constitutional changes to reverse the semi-autonomous status of Jammu and Kashmir with abrogation of Article 370.

Watch | Srinagar gears up to host G20 summit | Inside South Asia: part 2

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Jaishankar said, "I would like to use the phrase “Wake up and smell the coffee”, similarly 370 is history sooner people realise it's better."

Jaishankar, during the meeting, called out Pakistan's state-sponsored terrorism, "The victims of terrorism do not sit down with perpetrators of terrorism to talk about terrorism."

"On terrorism, Pakistan's credibility is depleting faster than their forex reserves," Jaishankar said. "There is only one issue to discuss on Kashmir which is when will Pakistan give back Pakistan Occupied Kashmir," he added. 
 
Bilawal Zardari returned from India on a special Pakistan Air Force plane and landed in Karachi where he was received by Sindh chief minister, Murad Ali Shah, and other cabinet members.

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Raking up India’s decision to abrogate Article 370 revoking the special status of Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan's foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that it is New Delhi's call to restart peace talks.

Raking up India’s decision to abrogate Article 370 revoking the special status of Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan's foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that it is New Delhi's call to restart peace talks. Addressing a press conference in Islamabad after his return from Goa where he attended the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation's (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) meeting, Bhutto Zardari said that Pakistan was clear that India should create a conducive environment for talks by restoring the pre-August 5, 2019 status of Kashmir. The Pakistani minister said revoking the special status of Jammu and Kashmir still remains an unresolved issue between the two nations. Also Read | Prosecutors grant immunity to at least eight 'fake electors' in Georgia Trump probe Pakistan claims tensions have been simmering since New Delhi abrogated Article 370 of the Constitution on August 5, 2019 and had downgraded diplomatic ties in a reaction to India's decision. On the other hand, India told the international community that the decision to repeal Article 370 is an internal matter of the country. Also Read | Neo-Nazi symbols, fight in schoolyard: What we know about Serbia’s second mass shooting It also urged Pakistan to cease spreading false information against India and to accept the truth. India has expressed its wish for neighbourly ties with Islamabad but only in an atmosphere that is devoid of terrorism. India held a foreign ministers' meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) on 5 May in Goa which saw the participation of the Pakistani minister as well. The meeting laid out the groundwork for the upcoming SCO Summit in July in New Delhi. During a press briefing after the SCO summit, India's External Affairs minister Dr S Jaishankar made comments over Bhutto Zardari's mention of India's constitutional changes to reverse the semi-autonomous status of Jammu and Kashmir with abrogation of Article 370. Watch | Srinagar gears up to host G20 summit | Inside South Asia: part 2 × Jaishankar said, "I would like to use the phrase “Wake up and smell the coffee”, similarly 370 is history sooner people realise it's better." Jaishankar, during the meeting, called out Pakistan's state-sponsored terrorism, "The victims of terrorism do not sit down with perpetrators of terrorism to talk about terrorism." "On terrorism, Pakistan's credibility is depleting faster than their forex reserves," Jaishankar said. "There is only one issue to discuss on Kashmir which is when will Pakistan give back Pakistan Occupied Kashmir," he added. Bilawal Zardari returned from India on a special Pakistan Air Force plane and landed in Karachi where he was received by Sindh chief minister, Murad Ali Shah, and other cabinet members. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Onus to restart peace talks on India, says Pakistan FM Bilawal Bhutto Zardari

India is hosting the Foreign Ministers of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Goa, but apart from the MOUs and long speeches, there was much to observe when India's External Affairs Minister welcomed his Pakistani counterpart. Watch the video to know more.

Namaste Diplomacy: India's 'cold welcome' to Pakistan's Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto | WION

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto indirectly raked up the Kashmir issue at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, in an apparent violation of decorum of the multilateral nature of the event. The SCO foreign ministers' meet is being held in India's coastal state of Goa.&nbsp;

"Unilateral and illegal measures by states in violation of international law and Security Council resolutions run counter to the SCO objectives," Bhutto said.&nbsp;

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;SCO Meet: Bilawal Bhutto becomes 1st Pak Foreign Minister to visit India in 12 years

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The minister also appeared to push back India's long-held stance against Pakistani state's backing of terrorist groups.

Responding to India's Foreign Minister Dr S Jaishankar's remarks, Bhutto said, "Let's not get caught up in weaponising terrorism for diplomatic point scoring."

<h2>Isolate terrorism from geopolitical partisanship: Bilawal Bhutto&nbsp;</h2>

Without addressing&nbsp;the cross-border terror sponsored from within Pakistan inside India's Jammu and Kashmir, Bhutto said that Pakistan is "firmly committed to be part of regional and global efforts for eradicating this [terror] menace."

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/sco-foreign-ministers-meet-live-updates-lavrov-arrives-in-goa-jaishankar-to-hold-bilateral-588702">SCO foreign ministers meet highlights| Pak FM Bhutto meets Russian counterpart Lavrov</a>

"This requires not only a comprehensive approach but also a collective approach. It demands we address the root causes as well as the threats posed by specific groups. It requires that we let this challenge unite us to fight it rather than divide us to become its victim. Our success requires us to isolate this issue from geo-political partisanship," he added.

<h2>Stop conflating non-state actors with state actors: Bilawal Bhutto</h2>

Pakistan in the past has unsuccessfully reasoned that part of the reason it has struggled to control the terror menace is because of the "non-state actors",&nbsp;a diplomatic euphemism Islamabad has put into vogue while referring to the terror groups such as Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and the Haqqani Network.

Bhutto said that the SCO grouping must stop conflating non-state actors with state actors.&nbsp;

"Practical, pragmatic solutions exist for us to put an end to this chapter once and for all. We must stop conflating non-state actors with state actors. Condemn all forms of terrorism including state sponsored terrorism. Given that many SCO members confront the menace of terrorism, often from the same terrorist groups, the SCO RATS [Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure] needs to be further strengthened to effectively address the growing threats to peace and security in the SCO space," Bhutto said.

Ahead of Shanghai&nbsp;Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in New Delhi on July 3-4, India is currently hosting a two-day SCO Foreign Ministers' meet in the coastal state of Goa.

The Foreign Ministers' meet has focused on counter-terrorism, multilateral connectivity and stability in Afghanistan after Taliban's takeover.&nbsp;

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) is a Eurasian political, economic, international security and defence organisation. It is the world's largest regional organisation in terms of geographical expansiveness and population, covering approximately 60 per cent of the area of Eurasia and&nbsp;40 per cent of the world population. 
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Pakistan's Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto indirectly raked up the Kashmir issue at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, in an apparent violation of decorum of the multilateral nature of the event.

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto indirectly raked up the Kashmir issue at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, in an apparent violation of decorum of the multilateral nature of the event. The SCO foreign ministers' meet is being held in India's coastal state of Goa. "Unilateral and illegal measures by states in violation of international law and Security Council resolutions run counter to the SCO objectives," Bhutto said. ALSO WATCH | SCO Meet: Bilawal Bhutto becomes 1st Pak Foreign Minister to visit India in 12 years × The minister also appeared to push back India's long-held stance against Pakistani state's backing of terrorist groups. Responding to India's Foreign Minister Dr S Jaishankar's remarks, Bhutto said, "Let's not get caught up in weaponising terrorism for diplomatic point scoring." Isolate terrorism from geopolitical partisanship: Bilawal Bhutto Without addressing the cross-border terror sponsored from within Pakistan inside India's Jammu and Kashmir, Bhutto said that Pakistan is "firmly committed to be part of regional and global efforts for eradicating this [terror] menace." ALSO READ | SCO foreign ministers meet highlights| Pak FM Bhutto meets Russian counterpart Lavrov "This requires not only a comprehensive approach but also a collective approach. It demands we address the root causes as well as the threats posed by specific groups. It requires that we let this challenge unite us to fight it rather than divide us to become its victim. Our success requires us to isolate this issue from geo-political partisanship," he added. Stop conflating non-state actors with state actors: Bilawal Bhutto Pakistan in the past has unsuccessfully reasoned that part of the reason it has struggled to control the terror menace is because of the "non-state actors", a diplomatic euphemism Islamabad has put into vogue while referring to the terror groups such as Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and the Haqqani Network. Bhutto said that the SCO grouping must stop conflating non-state actors with state actors. "Practical, pragmatic solutions exist for us to put an end to this chapter once and for all. We must stop conflating non-state actors with state actors. Condemn all forms of terrorism including state sponsored terrorism. Given that many SCO members confront the menace of terrorism, often from the same terrorist groups, the SCO RATS [Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure] needs to be further strengthened to effectively address the growing threats to peace and security in the SCO space," Bhutto said. Ahead of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in New Delhi on July 3-4, India is currently hosting a two-day SCO Foreign Ministers' meet in the coastal state of Goa. The Foreign Ministers' meet has focused on counter-terrorism, multilateral connectivity and stability in Afghanistan after Taliban's takeover. The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) is a Eurasian political, economic, international security and defence organisation. It is the world's largest regional organisation in terms of geographical expansiveness and population, covering approximately 60 per cent of the area of Eurasia and 40 per cent of the world population. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Pakistan’s Bilawal Bhutto indirectly rakes up Kashmir at SCO foreign ministers’ meet

Pakistan Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto arrived in Goa on Thursday (May 4) to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation's (SCO) Foreign Ministers' meeting. Speaking to the media, Foreign Minister Bhutto said he was very happy to participate and hoped that the SCO meeting would be fruitful. Bhutto's visit to India comes amid continued strain in ties between India and Pakistan on several issues, including Islamabad's continued support of cross-border terrorism.

According to a report by the news agency PTI, people familiar with the meeting preparations said that there is no plan for a meeting between Bhutto and India's External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/sco-foreign-ministers-meet-live-updates-lavrov-arrives-in-goa-jaishankar-to-hold-bilateral-588702">Click here to follow LIVE Updates on the SCO Foreign Ministers' meeting&nbsp;</a>

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Ahead of his arrival, Bhutto tweeted that his decision to attend the SCO Foreign Ministers' meeting illustrated Pakistan's strong commitment to the charter of the SCO.&nbsp;

"During my visit, which is focused exclusively on the SCO, I look forward to constructive discussions with my counterparts from friendly countries," Bhutto added.&nbsp;

Bhutto is the first Pakistani foreign minister to visit India after a gap of nearly 12 years. The previous visit was in 2011 by then-foreign minister Hina Rabbani Khar.&nbsp;

A&nbsp;few days back, Hina Rabbani Khar, who is currently serving as the&nbsp;minister of state for foreign affairs of Pakistan, told WION that Bhutto's participation (in SCO) summit&nbsp;was not an India visit, but an SCO visit.&nbsp;

"Within the same line, why the India visit? It is not an India visit, It must not be seen as an India visit. It’s an SCO visit. SCO happens to be an organisation - before [India and Pakistan] becoming full members, there&nbsp;was a precondition that bilateral disputes or issues should not come in the way of SCO work,"&nbsp; Khar said.&nbsp;

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/exclusive-its-not-india-visit-but-sco-visit-pak-minister-hina-rabbani-on-fm-bhutto-attending-sco-meeting-587030">Exclusive: It's not India visit but SCO visit, Pak minister Hina Rabbani on FM Bhutto attending SCO meeting</a>

"This is not a bilateral visit. It is a visit to SCO event which is in Goa where the foreign minister is going. If it was in Timbuktu, the foreign minister would be going, If it was in Washington DC, the foreign minister would be going. The foreign minister is going to an SCO event and that is the reality of it," she added.&nbsp;

More details will be added

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Pakistan Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto arrived in Goa on Thursday (May 4) to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation's (SCO) Foreign Ministers' meeting. Speaking to the media, Foreign Minister Bhutto said he was very happy to participate and hoped that the SCO meeting would be fruitful.

Pakistan Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto arrived in Goa on Thursday (May 4) to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation's (SCO) Foreign Ministers' meeting. Speaking to the media, Foreign Minister Bhutto said he was very happy to participate and hoped that the SCO meeting would be fruitful. Bhutto's visit to India comes amid continued strain in ties between India and Pakistan on several issues, including Islamabad's continued support of cross-border terrorism. According to a report by the news agency PTI, people familiar with the meeting preparations said that there is no plan for a meeting between Bhutto and India's External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar. Click here to follow LIVE Updates on the SCO Foreign Ministers' meeting #WATCH | Pakistani Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari lands at Goa's Dabolim to attend Shanghai Cooperation Organisation's (SCO) foreign ministers' meeting. (Source: Pakistan MoFA) pic.twitter.com/6ZtTmRCdL7 — ANI (@ANI) May 4, 2023 × Ahead of his arrival, Bhutto tweeted that his decision to attend the SCO Foreign Ministers' meeting illustrated Pakistan's strong commitment to the charter of the SCO. "During my visit, which is focused exclusively on the SCO, I look forward to constructive discussions with my counterparts from friendly countries," Bhutto added. Bhutto is the first Pakistani foreign minister to visit India after a gap of nearly 12 years. The previous visit was in 2011 by then-foreign minister Hina Rabbani Khar. A few days back, Hina Rabbani Khar, who is currently serving as the minister of state for foreign affairs of Pakistan, told WION that Bhutto's participation (in SCO) summit was not an India visit, but an SCO visit. "Within the same line, why the India visit? It is not an India visit, It must not be seen as an India visit. It’s an SCO visit. SCO happens to be an organisation - before [India and Pakistan] becoming full members, there was a precondition that bilateral disputes or issues should not come in the way of SCO work," Khar said. ALSO READ | Exclusive: It's not India visit but SCO visit, Pak minister Hina Rabbani on FM Bhutto attending SCO meeting "This is not a bilateral visit. It is a visit to SCO event which is in Goa where the foreign minister is going. If it was in Timbuktu, the foreign minister would be going, If it was in Washington DC, the foreign minister would be going. The foreign minister is going to an SCO event and that is the reality of it," she added. More details will be added You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Pak FM Bilawal Bhutto arrives in Goa for SCO Foreign Ministers' meeting

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will be the first Pakistani Foreign Minister in last 11 years to visit India. But there is no sign of Jaishankar-Bilawal bilateral talks. For more details, watch the video.

Bilawal Bhutto, the first Pakistani Foreign Minister to visit India in 11 years

Ahead of Pakistan Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto's India visit to&nbsp;participate in a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), WIONs Pakistan Bureau Chief Anas Mallick spoke to&nbsp;Hina&nbsp;Rabbani&nbsp;Khar, the country's minister of state for foreign affairs. When quizzed if the timing was right for Bhutto's visit, especially in the current politically charged climate, Khar said it was not an India visit, but an SCO visit.&nbsp;

"The most important thing to notice here is the chairperson of PPP has chosen to be the foreign minister of Pakistan and he takes his job very seriously, so what might not be the politically right thing to do, or the popular thing to do, but it is the correct thing to do as far Pakistan’s interests are concerned," said Khar in an exclusive interview.&nbsp;

"Within the same line, why the India visit? It is not an India visit, It must not be seen as an India visit. It’s an SCO visit. SCO happens to be an organisation - before [India and Pakistan] becoming full members , there&nbsp;was a precondition that bilateral disputes or issues should not come in the way of SCO work."&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/pakistans-foreign-minister-bilawal-bhutto-to-attend-sco-meeting-in-goa-india-english-news-wion-584387">WATCH |&nbsp;Pakistan's Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto to attend SCO meeting in Goa, India</a>

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"This is not a bilateral visit. It is a visit to SCO event which is in Goa where the foreign minister is going. If it was in Timbuktu, the foreign minister would be going, If it was in Washington DC, the foreign minister would be going. The foreign minster is going to an SCO event and that is the reality of it."

She added that since the SCO was set up, Pakistan's FM had been attending every ministerial meeting and thus it did not make sense to sit out a meeting of such importance.&nbsp;

Notably, this will be the first time that a Pakistan foreign minister will be visiting India since Khar herself visited the country in 2011. Moreover, after former PM Nawaz Sharif's visit in 2014 for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's swearing-in ceremony, this will be the first high-level visit by a Pakistani leader.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/visit-should-not-be-pakistan-fm-bilawal-bhutto-on-attending-sco-meet-in-india-584855">ALSO READ |&nbsp;'Visit should not be...': Pakistan FM Bilawal Bhutto on attending SCO meet in India</a>

<h2>Pakistan may raise the Kashmir issue</h2>

When pressed if Pakistan will be raising the Kashmir issue as it had been doing on most global platforms, Khar said her government only talked about the reality of the region.&nbsp;

"As far as what should we read into it or should we expect, you can expect anything you wish. You can be delusional and expect anything you wish, but as I have already categorically mentioned, there is no bilateral element in this visit."

"Kashmir is not a Pakistan problem. Kashmir is a problem. It doesn’t become a problem if we say it is a problem, it is a problem because we recognise [it at] the highest international body UNSC as a dispute between the two countries, and this dispute was not taken to the security council by Pakistan, it was taken by India," she added.&nbsp;

"So when it comes to talking about Kashmir, anywhere everywhere, Pakistan brings out the reality of Kashmir and Pakistan will continue to do so."

India took over the chairmanship of the SCO grouping last year after the Samarkand edition. New Delhi on April 27 and 28 chaired the SCO defence ministers' meet, with Pakistan's defence minister giving the event a slip.&nbsp;

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Ahead of Pakistan Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto's India visit to participate in a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), WIONs Pakistan Bureau Chief Anas Mallick spoke to Hina Rabbani Khar, the country's minister of state for foreign affairs.

Ahead of Pakistan Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto's India visit to participate in a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), WIONs Pakistan Bureau Chief Anas Mallick spoke to Hina Rabbani Khar, the country's minister of state for foreign affairs. When quizzed if the timing was right for Bhutto's visit, especially in the current politically charged climate, Khar said it was not an India visit, but an SCO visit. "The most important thing to notice here is the chairperson of PPP has chosen to be the foreign minister of Pakistan and he takes his job very seriously, so what might not be the politically right thing to do, or the popular thing to do, but it is the correct thing to do as far Pakistan’s interests are concerned," said Khar in an exclusive interview. "Within the same line, why the India visit? It is not an India visit, It must not be seen as an India visit. It’s an SCO visit. SCO happens to be an organisation - before [India and Pakistan] becoming full members , there was a precondition that bilateral disputes or issues should not come in the way of SCO work." WATCH | Pakistan's Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto to attend SCO meeting in Goa, India × "This is not a bilateral visit. It is a visit to SCO event which is in Goa where the foreign minister is going. If it was in Timbuktu, the foreign minister would be going, If it was in Washington DC, the foreign minister would be going. The foreign minster is going to an SCO event and that is the reality of it." She added that since the SCO was set up, Pakistan's FM had been attending every ministerial meeting and thus it did not make sense to sit out a meeting of such importance. Notably, this will be the first time that a Pakistan foreign minister will be visiting India since Khar herself visited the country in 2011. Moreover, after former PM Nawaz Sharif's visit in 2014 for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's swearing-in ceremony, this will be the first high-level visit by a Pakistani leader. ALSO READ | 'Visit should not be...': Pakistan FM Bilawal Bhutto on attending SCO meet in India Pakistan may raise the Kashmir issue When pressed if Pakistan will be raising the Kashmir issue as it had been doing on most global platforms, Khar said her government only talked about the reality of the region. "As far as what should we read into it or should we expect, you can expect anything you wish. You can be delusional and expect anything you wish, but as I have already categorically mentioned, there is no bilateral element in this visit." "Kashmir is not a Pakistan problem. Kashmir is a problem. It doesn’t become a problem if we say it is a problem, it is a problem because we recognise [it at] the highest international body UNSC as a dispute between the two countries, and this dispute was not taken to the security council by Pakistan, it was taken by India," she added. "So when it comes to talking about Kashmir, anywhere everywhere, Pakistan brings out the reality of Kashmir and Pakistan will continue to do so." India took over the chairmanship of the SCO grouping last year after the Samarkand edition. New Delhi on April 27 and 28 chaired the SCO defence ministers' meet, with Pakistan's defence minister giving the event a slip. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Exclusive: It's not India visit but SCO visit, Pak minister Hina Rabbani on FM Bhutto attending SCO meeting

Pakistan Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that the Supreme Court (SC) committed "contempt of Parliament" by "undermining the decisions of the House", local media reported.&nbsp;

Bhutto, who is Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Chairman, said that funds for holding elections in Punjab could not be released to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) without the Parliament's permission.&nbsp;

While speaking on the National Assembly (NA) floor, the foreign minister said that the decisions of the Parliament could not be ignored and said that "if the Parliament allows releasing of funds, we have no objection".&nbsp;

During his address, he also said that Supreme Court "wants to impose a minority decision by turning it into a majority one. We will not accept it under any circumstances".&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/white-house-responds-to-pakistan-purchasing-discounted-russian-oil-586565">White House responds to Pakistan purchasing discounted Russian oil</a>&nbsp;

He further noted that the executive was supposed to follow the decisions of the Parliament. He said, "It is against the basic principle of democracy and the Constitution. The Parliament has the authority to decide how public money can be spent and where it is spent."&nbsp;

Bhutto also referred to a letter, which was written by the Speaker of the National Assembly Raja Pervaiz Ashraf and addressed to the Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial.&nbsp;

Bhutto said that the letter is not enough as the Parliament was insulted and its privileges were violated.&nbsp;

In the letter, the speaker noted that the country's top court must "avoid getting involved in political thicket", as far as possible. The foreign minister suggested that the matter be taken up by the privilege committee.&nbsp;

WATCH |&nbsp;Rajnath Singh set for bilateral meet with Chinese defence minister ahead of SCO meet&nbsp;

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<h2>Speaker's letter to Pakistan's top judge&nbsp;</h2>

In the letter to the country's top judge, the Speaker addressed the ongoing issue of the court's encroachment upon the National Assembly's power to approve expenditures from the Federal Consolidated Fund, local media reported.&nbsp;

The letter is in the current issue between the government and the Supreme Court as they remain at loggerheads over the elections to the Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assemblies.&nbsp;

The speaker of the lower house wrote: "It is best to leave resolution of political matters by parliament and the political parties." &nbsp;

"We must work together to uphold the Constitution, protect the democratic values and work within our respective constitutional domains to ensure that confrontation between the organs of the state is avoided and the constitutional order is maintained," he stated.&nbsp;

Ashraf also mentioned the "profound concern and unease of the elected representatives of the people of Pakistan regarding some recent decisions of the Supreme Court and comments made by some Judges, as reported in media".&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

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Pakistan Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that the Supreme Court (SC) committed "contempt of Parliament" by "undermining the decisions of the House", local media reported.

Pakistan Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that the Supreme Court (SC) committed "contempt of Parliament" by "undermining the decisions of the House", local media reported. Bhutto, who is Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Chairman, said that funds for holding elections in Punjab could not be released to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) without the Parliament's permission. While speaking on the National Assembly (NA) floor, the foreign minister said that the decisions of the Parliament could not be ignored and said that "if the Parliament allows releasing of funds, we have no objection". During his address, he also said that Supreme Court "wants to impose a minority decision by turning it into a majority one. We will not accept it under any circumstances". ALSO READ | White House responds to Pakistan purchasing discounted Russian oil He further noted that the executive was supposed to follow the decisions of the Parliament. He said, "It is against the basic principle of democracy and the Constitution. The Parliament has the authority to decide how public money can be spent and where it is spent." Bhutto also referred to a letter, which was written by the Speaker of the National Assembly Raja Pervaiz Ashraf and addressed to the Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial. Bhutto said that the letter is not enough as the Parliament was insulted and its privileges were violated. In the letter, the speaker noted that the country's top court must "avoid getting involved in political thicket", as far as possible. The foreign minister suggested that the matter be taken up by the privilege committee. WATCH | Rajnath Singh set for bilateral meet with Chinese defence minister ahead of SCO meet × Speaker's letter to Pakistan's top judge In the letter to the country's top judge, the Speaker addressed the ongoing issue of the court's encroachment upon the National Assembly's power to approve expenditures from the Federal Consolidated Fund, local media reported. The letter is in the current issue between the government and the Supreme Court as they remain at loggerheads over the elections to the Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assemblies. The speaker of the lower house wrote: "It is best to leave resolution of political matters by parliament and the political parties." "We must work together to uphold the Constitution, protect the democratic values and work within our respective constitutional domains to ensure that confrontation between the organs of the state is avoided and the constitutional order is maintained," he stated. Ashraf also mentioned the "profound concern and unease of the elected representatives of the people of Pakistan regarding some recent decisions of the Supreme Court and comments made by some Judges, as reported in media". (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Pakistan Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto claims SC committed 'contempt of Parliament'

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Vice President Fawad Chaudhry on Friday (April 21) criticised Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto's decision to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in India next month. Taking to Twitter, Hussain said Bhutto's visit to India was equivalent to stabbing the Kashmiris in the back. Hussain added that seeking ties with India while burying the Kashmir issue was part of a foreign agenda.&nbsp;

He further said that the PTI never opposed the support relation with India and other countries, but relationships should be based on equality and fundamental issues must be resolved.

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بلاول بھٹو کا ہندوستان کا دورہ کشمیریوں کی جدوجہد کی پیٹھ میں خنجر گھونپنے کے مترادف ہے ،کشمیر کے معاملے کو دفن کر کے ہندوستان سے تعلقات بنانا اس انٹرنیشنل ایجنڈے کا حصہ ہےجس کے تحت اس حکومت کو پاکستان پر مسلط کیا گیا، بھارت سمیت دیگر ممالک سے تعلقات کے حامی ہیں لیکن کسی طور بھی…
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The PTI leader's tweet comes a day after Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto said that his participation in SCO in India's Goa reflected Pakistan's commitment to the charter of the SCO and should not be seen in terms of bilateral ties.

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/visit-should-not-be-pakistan-fm-bilawal-bhutto-on-attending-sco-meet-in-india-584855">'Visit should not be...': Pakistan FM Bilawal Bhutto on attending SCO meet in India</a>

"We are committed to the SCO charter and this visit should not be seen as a bilateral one but in the context of the SCO," Bhutto said during a program on Dunya News on Thursday.&nbsp;

Sharing Pakistan`s past experience at the SCO summit in Uzbekistan, Bilawal said the country did not hold any bilateral talks in the past as well.

Bhutto would be the first Pakistani foreign minister to visit India after a gap of nearly 12 years. The previous visit was in 2011 by then-foreign minister Hina Rabbani Khar.&nbsp;

In January, India extended an invitation to him along with all other member states of the SCO to attend the meeting.

On Thursday, Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said that Bhutto was attending the meeting at the invitation of External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar.&nbsp;

Addressing a press conference, Baloch said, "Our participation at the meeting reflects Pakistan's continued commitment to the SCO charter and process and the importance that Pakistan accords to the region in its foreign policy priorities."

Relations between India and Pakistan have been fraught for years regarding the issue of cross-border terrorism from Pakistan.&nbsp;

Kamran Yousaf, a senior political analyst in Pakistan, said that Bilawal Bhutto's upcoming India visit would be seen as an ice-breaking move, the news agency IANS reported on Thursday.&nbsp;

"It will be symbolically significant. Though it may not bring any dramatic changes in bilateral relationships," Yousaf added.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Vice President Fawad Chaudhry on Friday (April 21) criticised Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto's decision to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in India next month.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Vice President Fawad Chaudhry on Friday (April 21) criticised Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto's decision to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in India next month. Taking to Twitter, Hussain said Bhutto's visit to India was equivalent to stabbing the Kashmiris in the back. Hussain added that seeking ties with India while burying the Kashmir issue was part of a foreign agenda. He further said that the PTI never opposed the support relation with India and other countries, but relationships should be based on equality and fundamental issues must be resolved. بلاول بھٹو کا ہندوستان کا دورہ کشمیریوں کی جدوجہد کی پیٹھ میں خنجر گھونپنے کے مترادف ہے ،کشمیر کے معاملے کو دفن کر کے ہندوستان سے تعلقات بنانا اس انٹرنیشنل ایجنڈے کا حصہ ہےجس کے تحت اس حکومت کو پاکستان پر مسلط کیا گیا، بھارت سمیت دیگر ممالک سے تعلقات کے حامی ہیں لیکن کسی طور بھی… — Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) April 21, 2023 × The PTI leader's tweet comes a day after Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto said that his participation in SCO in India's Goa reflected Pakistan's commitment to the charter of the SCO and should not be seen in terms of bilateral ties. ALSO READ | 'Visit should not be...': Pakistan FM Bilawal Bhutto on attending SCO meet in India "We are committed to the SCO charter and this visit should not be seen as a bilateral one but in the context of the SCO," Bhutto said during a program on Dunya News on Thursday. Sharing Pakistan`s past experience at the SCO summit in Uzbekistan, Bilawal said the country did not hold any bilateral talks in the past as well. Bhutto would be the first Pakistani foreign minister to visit India after a gap of nearly 12 years. The previous visit was in 2011 by then-foreign minister Hina Rabbani Khar. In January, India extended an invitation to him along with all other member states of the SCO to attend the meeting. On Thursday, Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said that Bhutto was attending the meeting at the invitation of External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar. Addressing a press conference, Baloch said, "Our participation at the meeting reflects Pakistan's continued commitment to the SCO charter and process and the importance that Pakistan accords to the region in its foreign policy priorities." Relations between India and Pakistan have been fraught for years regarding the issue of cross-border terrorism from Pakistan. Kamran Yousaf, a senior political analyst in Pakistan, said that Bilawal Bhutto's upcoming India visit would be seen as an ice-breaking move, the news agency IANS reported on Thursday. "It will be symbolically significant. Though it may not bring any dramatic changes in bilateral relationships," Yousaf added. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Pakistan: PTI vice president criticises Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto's visit to India

A day after it was announced that Pakistan Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will be visiting Indian to participate in a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Council, he has said the visit should not be seen in terms of bilateral ties.

A day after it was announced that Pakistan Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will be visiting Indian to participate in a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Council, he has said the visit should not be seen in terms of bilateral ties. "We are committed to the SCO charter and this visit should not be seen as a bilateral one but in the context of the SCO," the minister said. Pakistan's foreign office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahrah Baloch on Thursday informed that Zardari would be attending the meeting, scheduled to be held on May 4-5 in the southwestern Indian state of Goa. "Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will be leading the Pakistan delegation to the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) being held on May 4-5, 2023, in Goa, India," said Baloch. ALSO READ | Pak FM Bilawal Bhutto to attend Shanghai Cooperation Organisation meeting in India Baloch said the foreign minister would be attending the SCO CFM meeting at the invitation of the current chairman of SCO CFM, India's Minister for External Affairs Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar. "Our participation in the meeting reflects Pakistan's commitment to the SCO Charter and processes and the importance that Pakistan accords to the region in its foreign policy priorities." Notably, this will be the first time that a Pakistan foreign minister will be visiting India since Hina Rabbani Khar in 2011. Moreover, after former PM Nawaz Sharif's visit in 2014 for PM Narendra Modi's swearing-in ceremony, this will be the first high-level visit from a Pakistani leader. WATCH | Pakistan's Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto to attend SCO meeting in Goa, India × Questions raised over Zardari's visit However, ever since Zardari's visit was announced, a section of Indian politicians have criticised the Modi government for giving a platform to Pakistan - a known terror exporter to India. On the same day as the announcement, terrorists attacked an Indian Army vehicle in the Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir, killing five soldiers while critically injuring one. Reports have claimed that the terrorists may have crossed over from the Pakistan side and could be belonging to the banned terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taibya (LeT). A major operation has been launched by the authorities to nab the perpetrators. ALSO READ | India: Five Indian Army soldiers killed, one critically injured after terrorist attack in J&K's Poonch Notably, India took over the chairmanship of the SCO mega grouping last year after the Samarkand edition. This year's summit will be holding key ministerial meetings but the presence of Zardari is expected to ratchet up a few uncomfortable questions to New Delhi. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

'Visit should not be...': Pakistan FM Bilawal Bhutto on attending SCO meet in India

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will be leading a delegation to India for a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), being held in Goa on May 4-5, the ministry announced on Thursday (April 20).&nbsp;

"Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will be leading the Pakistan delegation to the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) being held on May 4-5 2023, in Goa, India," foreign office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahrah Baloch told a weekly media briefing.

​Baloch said the foreign minister would be attending the SCO CFM meeting at the invitation of the current chairman of SCO CFM, India's Minister for External Affairs Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, local media reported.&nbsp;&nbsp;

She said, "Our participation in the meeting reflects Pakistan's commitment to the SCO Charter and processes and the importance that Pakistan accords to the region in its foreign policy priorities."&nbsp;

Here are some of the most recent key visits from Pakistan to India:

-The last visit by a Pakistan prime minister to India was in 2014 when Nawaz Sharif attended Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's swearing-in ceremony.&nbsp;

-In December 2016, the Pakistan PM's foreign affairs advisor Sartaj Aziz, who was seen as the de-facto foreign minister, was on Indian soil for the Heart of Asia conference at Amritsar.&nbsp;

-The previous stand-alone bilateral trip by a Pakistani foreign minister was Hina Rabbani Khar's visit in 2012.&nbsp;

-Salman Sharif, Charge d’Affaires, represented Pakistan at the meeting of Heads of Ministries and departments responsible for the development of physical culture and sports in the SCO member States held in New Delhi on 15 March 2023.&nbsp;

India-Pakistan ties

A bilateral visit took place in 2015 when PM Modi made an unexpected detour to Lahore but relations dipped within a month over the terror attack at the Indian Air Force base at Pathankot, which deteriorated further after India's reaction to the attack - the "surgical strikes" in 2016.&nbsp;

The Imran Khan government took several drastic steps, like recalling ambassadors to cutting off trade ties, after the dilution of Article 370 that changed the constitutional status of Jammu and Kashmir.&nbsp;

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Pakistan's Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will be leading a delegation to India for a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), being held in Goa on May 4-5, the ministry announced on Thursday (April 20).

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will be leading a delegation to India for a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), being held in Goa on May 4-5, the ministry announced on Thursday (April 20). "Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will be leading the Pakistan delegation to the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) being held on May 4-5 2023, in Goa, India," foreign office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahrah Baloch told a weekly media briefing. Baloch said the foreign minister would be attending the SCO CFM meeting at the invitation of the current chairman of SCO CFM, India's Minister for External Affairs Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, local media reported. She said, "Our participation in the meeting reflects Pakistan's commitment to the SCO Charter and processes and the importance that Pakistan accords to the region in its foreign policy priorities." Here are some of the most recent key visits from Pakistan to India: -The last visit by a Pakistan prime minister to India was in 2014 when Nawaz Sharif attended Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's swearing-in ceremony. -In December 2016, the Pakistan PM's foreign affairs advisor Sartaj Aziz, who was seen as the de-facto foreign minister, was on Indian soil for the Heart of Asia conference at Amritsar. -The previous stand-alone bilateral trip by a Pakistani foreign minister was Hina Rabbani Khar's visit in 2012. -Salman Sharif, Charge d’Affaires, represented Pakistan at the meeting of Heads of Ministries and departments responsible for the development of physical culture and sports in the SCO member States held in New Delhi on 15 March 2023. India-Pakistan ties A bilateral visit took place in 2015 when PM Modi made an unexpected detour to Lahore but relations dipped within a month over the terror attack at the Indian Air Force base at Pathankot, which deteriorated further after India's reaction to the attack - the "surgical strikes" in 2016. The Imran Khan government took several drastic steps, like recalling ambassadors to cutting off trade ties, after the dilution of Article 370 that changed the constitutional status of Jammu and Kashmir. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Pak FM Bilawal Bhutto to attend Shanghai Cooperation Organisation meeting in India

Pakistan's election commission recently delayed assembly polls in the politically crucial state of Punjab by over 5 months. Imran Khan's party has moved Pakistan's Supreme Court against the poll deferment. Now, the country's foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has sounded the alarm over the possibility of a constitutional crisis. The ruling coalition has been seeking the formation of a full court bench on the matter. Bilawal Bhutto has warned that if a larger supreme court bench is not constituted, it could lead to a martial law or an emergency-like situation. Political infighting is common in Pakistan, where no prime minister has yet completed a full term. Pakistan's military has ensured dominance over the political elite - during periods of martial law; or as guardians of centrally controlled civilian regimes. Over the years, the military has repressed political parties and cobbled together regime-friendly alliances.

Bilawal Bhutto's big warning on 'martial law, emergency-like situation' in Pakistan

Pakistan's foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari accepts that the country has failed to get any traction or support for its agenda from the wider UN membership.

Pakistan foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari calls India a 'friend', then retracts

Pakistan Foreign Minister Accepts: No traction on Kashmir agenda at UN

Pakistan Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari admitted that India’s strong influence and diplomacy has made it difficult for Islamabad to place the Kashmir issue in&nbsp;the “centre” of the agenda of the United Nations.

Further, the 34-year-old momentarily described India as “our friend” before correcting himself by saying “neighbouring” country as he fumbled his way through the press conference on Friday.

“You're also right to note that we face a particularly uphill task to try and get Kashmir into the centre of the agenda at the United Nations,” Zardari said while responding to a question that sought to equate the situation in Palestine with Kashmir.

Pakistan rakes up the Kashmir issue at every UN forum and platform, regardless of the topic or agenda being discussed, and ends up inviting a scathing rebuttal from India.

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WATCH | Pakistan FM Bilawal Bhutto admits "uphill task" to get Kashmir at UN due to objections from "neighbouring country" after momentarily describing India as a "friend". <a href="https://t.co/Q7SrNQZ05f">pic.twitter.com/Q7SrNQZ05f</a>
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Irrespective of Pakistan’s efforts, there has been little to no support among the wider UN members as Kashmir is considered to be a bilateral issue between New Delhi and Islamabad.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-former-intelligence-chief-faces-corruption-probe-amid-calls-for-court-martial-570690">Pakistan: Former intelligence chief faces corruption probe, threat of ‘court-martial’ looms</a>

“And whenever the issue of Kashmir is brought up, our friends within, with... our friend… our.. our… neighbouring countries, strongly object, vociferously object and they perpetuate a post-fact narrative where they try to claim that this is not a dispute for the United Nations, that this is not a disputed territory recognised for the international community,” Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-house-votes-unanimously-for-declassification-of-covid-origins-intelligence-570734">US House votes unanimously for declassification of Covid origins intelligence</a>

Justifying his action of drawing parallels between Kashmir and Palestine, the Pakistani foreign minister added, “I think your parallel is very justified. There are many similarities between the plight of the people of Kashmir and the plight of the people of Palestine. I think it's fair to say that both issues remain unaddressed by the United Nations and we'd like to see an extra focus not only on Palestine but also on Kashmir.”

The minister further said that Pakistan will be persistent in its efforts to bring the Kashmir issue to the discussion table at every international forum. 
 
(With inputs from agencies) 
 
 
 
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Pakistan Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari admitted that India’s strong influence and diplomacy has made it difficult for Islamabad to place the Kashmir issue in the “centre” of the agenda of the United Nations.

Pakistan Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari admitted that India’s strong influence and diplomacy has made it difficult for Islamabad to place the Kashmir issue in the “centre” of the agenda of the United Nations. Further, the 34-year-old momentarily described India as “our friend” before correcting himself by saying “neighbouring” country as he fumbled his way through the press conference on Friday. “You're also right to note that we face a particularly uphill task to try and get Kashmir into the centre of the agenda at the United Nations,” Zardari said while responding to a question that sought to equate the situation in Palestine with Kashmir. Pakistan rakes up the Kashmir issue at every UN forum and platform, regardless of the topic or agenda being discussed, and ends up inviting a scathing rebuttal from India. WATCH | Pakistan FM Bilawal Bhutto admits "uphill task" to get Kashmir at UN due to objections from "neighbouring country" after momentarily describing India as a "friend". pic.twitter.com/Q7SrNQZ05f — WION (@WIONews) March 11, 2023 × Irrespective of Pakistan’s efforts, there has been little to no support among the wider UN members as Kashmir is considered to be a bilateral issue between New Delhi and Islamabad. Also read | Pakistan: Former intelligence chief faces corruption probe, threat of ‘court-martial’ looms “And whenever the issue of Kashmir is brought up, our friends within, with... our friend… our.. our… neighbouring countries, strongly object, vociferously object and they perpetuate a post-fact narrative where they try to claim that this is not a dispute for the United Nations, that this is not a disputed territory recognised for the international community,” Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said. Also read | US House votes unanimously for declassification of Covid origins intelligence Justifying his action of drawing parallels between Kashmir and Palestine, the Pakistani foreign minister added, “I think your parallel is very justified. There are many similarities between the plight of the people of Kashmir and the plight of the people of Palestine. I think it's fair to say that both issues remain unaddressed by the United Nations and we'd like to see an extra focus not only on Palestine but also on Kashmir.” The minister further said that Pakistan will be persistent in its efforts to bring the Kashmir issue to the discussion table at every international forum. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Pak foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto concedes failure in getting UN’s attention on Kashmir issue

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