It’s July 6, 2025, in New Delhi. Former Pakistani Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari sent a shocking diplomatic message when he said that Islamabad is willing to extradite terror suspects Hafiz Saeed and Masood Azhar to India as long as New Delhi cooperates with the law. His words come after Operation Sindoor and India’s decision to partially suspend the Indus Water Treaty, which made things worse between the two countries.
In an interview with Al Jazeera, Bhutto said, “We have no problem if people wanted by India are handed over, as long as it is supported by the law and cooperation.” This is one of the bravest public admissions by a well-known Pakistani leader that India has been calling for action against terror masterminds for a long time.
The Sindoor Operation and the Diplomatic Heat
India’s recent military operation, Operation Sindoor, to destroy cross-border terror infrastructure has put more pressure on Pakistan on the world stage. India’s strategic choice to suspend key parts of the Indus Waters Treaty has made things even more difficult for Pakistan in both international and domestic areas.
Analysts think Bhutto’s words could be a strategy to show that Pakistan is open to peace, or at least to improve its image as the world becomes more divided and the economy worsens.
What People Say in Pakistan
But Bhutto’s comments have caused a lot of anger at home. Talha Saeed, Hafiz Saeed’s son, spoke out against Bhutto and said that what he said was a betrayal. He told them that his father is legally protected in Pakistan.
Another group that spoke out was the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). They called Bilawal a “political child” and said he was overstepping his bounds without any executive power. Leaders of the PTI said that Bhutto was trying to make a point without getting support from the military or security community in Pakistan.
India wants action, not just words
People in India are not sure about the deal. Security experts and former military officers said the statement was just a “trial balloon” put up by civilian leaders to see what would happen. They say that extraditions like this will need more than just nice words; they will need real political will and legal action, which is often stopped by Pakistan’s “deep state.”
What’s Next
Even though Bilawal Bhutto’s comments are important, especially in light of the increased tensions following Operation Sindoor and the Indus Treaty strain, they are still just guesses until they are confirmed by the relevant authorities. India has asked many times for Saeed and Azhar to be sent back to India because they are both suspected of planning attacks on Indian land.
If the offer isn’t followed up with real actions, it could be seen as just another empty move in a long line of broken promises between the two countries.
