Bilawal Bhutto's offer to extradite Hafiz Saeed to India ignites internal conflict in Pakistan

Time of India

19 hours ago

Lashkar-e-Taiba
(LeT) founder
Hafiz Saeed
's son,
Talha Saeed
, has strongly criticised former Pakistani foreign minister
Bilawal Bhutto
's recent remarks about possible extradition of wanted terrorists to
India
. In a video statement released on Sunday, Talha described Bhutto's offer as 'irresponsible' and 'unacceptable,' saying it had brought shame to Pakistan internationally.
Bhutto had made the comments during an interview with Al Jazeera on Friday. When asked about the possibility of handing over figures like Hafiz Saeed and
Jaish-e-Mohammed
leader
Masood Azhar
, Bhutto said, 'We have no objection to such steps as a confidence-building measure,' provided India cooperates.
LeT-linked political groups reject Bhutto's position
Responding to Bhutto's statement, Talha Saeed said, 'We and our community' would never accept the idea of handing over his father to India, calling India a hostile country. He also accused Bhutto of promoting narratives influenced by the West and India.
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The Pakistan Markazi Muslim League, associated with LeT and Jamaat-ud-Dawa, issued a statement rejecting Bhutto's views. It blamed India for spreading
terrorism in Pakistan
and neighbouring regions.
No official backing for Bhutto's remarks
Although Bhutto's remarks gained attention, they carry no official weight. He currently holds no position in Pakistan's government. Many observers see his statement as political messaging without real intent or authority.
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"Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has no locus standi. He is not in the cabinet, he is not part of the armed forces. Yes, his father is the president of Pakistan (Asif Ali Zardari), and that's about all," said Major Gaurav Arya (Retd) in an interview with TOI.
Arya said that the Pakistani establishment often uses figures like Bhutto to send diplomatic signals without committing officially. "Because the
Indus Waters Treaty
has been held in abeyance by India, they want to give out an
olive branch
to India as a token of peace or a white flag. But tomorrow, if public backlash is a little too much... at that point in time, Pakistan can say Bilawal is not part of the government," he said.
India unlikely to respond without institutional clarity
Indian defence experts believe the offer lacks credibility. Without official support from Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs or clear institutional steps, analysts see little reason for India to engage.
Major Arya said that Bhutto's statement is likely a distraction. He added that Islamabad may be trying to manage its international image while domestic pressures continue to grow. 'The extradition offer lacks credibility because it came from someone without governing authority,' Arya said.
Unless Pakistan backs such statements with policy action and transparency in dealing with terror groups, diplomatic engagement with India is expected to remain on hold.