Zardari Labels India a Threat to Global Peace Following Islamabad Mosque Blast
Addressing the nation yesterday, Zardari expressed deep gratitude for the international messages of solidarity but asserted that regional stability is being undermined by neighboring states providing financial and military support to terrorist proxies. His comments come in the wake of the February 6 attack at the Khadija Tul Kubra Mosque in Tarlai Kalan, which claimed at least 31 lives and left over 160 injured.
President Zardari’s rhetoric specifically targeted New Delhi, claiming that Pakistan’s fight against terrorism is being sabotaged by external interference. "Terrorism is not just a problem for one country; it is a collective global battle," he stated, adding that using foreign soil to destabilize Pakistan is a violation of international law. The blast, for which the Islamic State (IS) has claimed responsibility, has once again brought India-Pakistan relations to a boiling point. While Pakistani officials, including Defense Minister Khawaja Asif, have alleged "collusion" between Indian and Afghan intelligence, New Delhi has categorically rejected the claims as "baseless and far-fetched," urging Islamabad to look inward at its own social and security failures.
The timing of this diplomatic spat is particularly critical as it unfolds against a backdrop of long-standing disputes over the Indus Waters Treaty and the closure of airspace between the two nations since mid-2025. President Zardari also received a letter of condolence from Russian President Vladimir Putin, who described the mosque attack as "barbaric and inhumane" and reaffirmed Moscow's readiness to strengthen counter-terrorism cooperation with Pakistan. As the 2026 T20 World Cup remains a focal point of geopolitical friction, Zardari’s latest remarks suggest that the path toward peace in South Asia remains fraught with deep-seated mistrust and unresolved territorial and water-sharing grievances.
