Bilawal apologises for using wrong words during press talk

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari Thursday apologised for using wrong words during a press conference on Wednesday.

Key points

• Responding to it, PPP Chairman Bilawal remarked there had been a "wrong choice of words" in his statement on Wednesday.
• Bilawal remarked the presence and coordination of these elements posed a serious security challenge for Pakistan and required a comprehensive response.
• Speaking to the journalists at the Parliament House, the PPP chairman additionally clarified his earlier remarks concerning "nationalists", explaining that he had actually been referring to separatist forces.

Responding to it, PPP Chairman Bilawal remarked there had been a "wrong choice of words" in his statement on Wednesday. Bilawal clarified that he was referring to separatist groups that had adopted violence and were involved in terrorism, whether in Balochistan or elsewhere.

He remarked that separatist forces operating in Pakistan, the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), are in contact with one another, alleging that Afghanistan serves as their base while India is facilitating these groups. Bilawal remarked the presence and coordination of these elements posed a serious security challenge for Pakistan and required a comprehensive response.

Speaking to the journalists at the Parliament House, the PPP chairman additionally clarified his earlier remarks concerning "nationalists", explaining that he had actually been referring to separatist forces. He acknowledged that there had been an error in his choice of words while making the statement. Bilawal remarked his reference to nationalists was intended to describe separatist elements rather than legitimate nationalist political forces. He stressed the distinction was significant, saying his remarks should be understood in the context of groups involved in separatist activities and violence against the state. Bilawal remarked the separatist elements and the banned TTP and BLA maintain contacts, with Afghanistan allegedly providing a base for their activities. He further alleged that India was facilitating these groups. The PPP chairman's clarification comes against the backdrop of heightened debate over the security situation and the activities of militant and separatist organisations operating against Pakistan.

Security forces kill 5 terrorists in Panjgur.

Taken together, the developments around bilawal apologises for using wrong words during press talk point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.