Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, in a strongly worded address to the National Assembly on Wednesday, condemned India’s overnight airstrikes, declaring that Pakistan would no longer tolerate being unjustly labelled as a terrorist nation.

“This is not 2001, when someone could simply say ‘Muslims are terrorists’ and we would accept it silently,” Bilawal said, referencing India’s narrative following recent tensions. “India targeted children under the cover of darkness. Cowards and thieves strike at night; the brave face their enemies in daylight.”

Bilawal’s remarks followed a forceful speech by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in which he detailed Pakistan’s military response to the Indian airstrikes. Echoing the Prime Minister’s sentiments, Bilawal expressed solidarity with the families of the martyrs and praised the armed forces for their decisive retaliation.

He accused India of levelling false allegations against Pakistan for the past two weeks, particularly in the aftermath of the Pulwama-like Pahalgam incident. “Pakistan demanded an impartial investigation, because we stand with the truth. India, on the other hand, stands with lies,” he said.

Bilawal vowed that Pakistan would expose India’s actions on the global stage, stating, “We will show the world we are not proponents of war, but we will defend our people and sovereignty without hesitation.” He applauded the Pakistan Air Force for shooting down five Indian jets, saying, “India may have numerical strength, but it lacks the spirit we possess.”

In an impassioned end to his speech, Bilawal mocked India’s air power: “Indian jets were swatted down like mosquitoes. If they attack again, we’ll bring them down again. Every assault from the enemy will be thwarted. India is mistaken if it thinks we will remain silent in the face of aggression.”