During a recent interview with Al Jazeera, the Chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, suggested that the extradition of individuals wanted by India could be considered as a confidence-building measure, provided that India commits to a comprehensive dialogue and adheres to due legal process. This idea, however, presents significant issues. Firstly, it conflicts with Pakistan’s domestic law. Secondly, it conveys a message of diplomatic vulnerability. While it is important to note that Bilawa Bhutto’s statement does not reflect official government policy, as he holds no formal position, the opinion itself is a cause for serious concern because he heads one of the biggest political parties of Pakistan.
The very idea of extraditing a nation’s own citizens without a formal treaty and concrete, actionable evidence presented in a court of law is a non-starter for any sovereign state. To do so as a mere goodwill gesture is not diplomacy, it is an act of appeasement that would set a dangerous precedent. Pakistan, as a sovereign nation, cannot and will not throw its citizens under the bus to score points in a narrative crafted and propagated by its adversary.
The Echoes of the Samjhauta Express
Any talk of “goodwill” from India is met with deep skepticism, particularly when viewed through the lens of the 2007 Samjhauta Express bombing. This horrific act of terrorism claimed the lives of 68 people, the majority of whom were Pakistani citizens. Yet, in 2019, a special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court in India acquitted all the accused, including Swami Aseemanand, a prominent right-wing Hindu activist who had initially confessed to his involvement.
The acquittal, which the NIA chose not to appeal, was seen in Pakistan as a gross miscarriage of justice.The victims’ families still await closure, while the accused walk free, some even feted as heroes. This case stands as a stark reminder of India’s double standards on terrorism and its unwillingness to hold its own accountable, making any demands for Pakistani citizens ring hollow. The shielding of figures like Lt. Col. Prasad Purohit, an accused in the 2008 Malegaon blasts, further solidifies the perception of a justice system that is far from impartial.
The call for extradition in the absence of a bilateral extradition treaty is a demand for Pakistan to bypass its own legal system. Handing over individuals based on dossiers and media trials is not a substitute for a transparent legal process. It would be tantamount to a slow-motion surrender of our judicial sovereignty. Pakistan has consistently maintained that if India possesses any credible, legally admissible evidence, it should be presented through the proper channels.
A Litany of Unreciprocated Gestures and Hostile Actions
The case of Kulbhushan Jadhav, an Indian naval officer captured in Balochistan in 2016, starkly contrasts with India’s demands. Jadhav confessed to his involvement in espionage and fomenting terrorism in Pakistan, a fact that India has struggled to convincingly deny. While Pakistan has allowed consular access to Jadhav following the International Court of Justice’s ruling, the case remains a glaring example of India’s direct involvement in destabilizing activities within Pakistan. This is not the behavior of a friendly neighbor seeking goodwill.
The call for unilateral goodwill from Pakistan is particularly galling given India’s recent actions that have actively undermined diplomatic engagement and regional stability:
Revocation of Kashmir’s Autonomy (2019): India’s unilateral and illegal revocation of Article 370 of its constitution, stripping Jammu and Kashmir of its special autonomous status, was a direct assault on the rights of the Kashmiri people and a blatant violation of international agreements.
SAARC Stalemate: The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) has been rendered largely dysfunctional due to India’s refusal to engage, effectively holding the entire region’s progress hostage to its bilateral disputes with Pakistan.
Support for TTP and Insurgency in Balochistan: Pakistan has repeatedly presented evidence of India’s intelligence agency, RAW, sponsoring and supporting terrorist groups like the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and fueling insurgency in Balochistan from Afghan soil.
Civilian Casualties in May 2025 Attacks: In its May 2025 strikes, India targeted civilian sites within Pakistan under the pretext of counterterrorism. However, independent reports and local authorities confirmed the deaths of multiple civilians, including women and children
This pattern of behavior is not one of a country seeking dialogue and peaceful resolution; it is one of strategic gaslighting, where aggressive actions are followed by demands for conciliatory gestures.
The Bottom Line: Sovereignty is Non-Negotiable
No Pakistani government can, or should, entertain the notion of handing over its citizens without a transparent and robust legal process. This is not a matter of public relations; it is a fundamental issue of national sovereignty. In the hyper-militarized and polarized landscape of 2025, where information warfare is a constant, succumbing to external pressure and media narratives would be strategic suicide.
True diplomacy is built on reciprocity, mutual trust, and a genuine commitment to resolving disputes through dialogue, not on unilateral concessions. If India genuinely desires a comprehensive dialogue, it must first demonstrate its own commitment to justice, international law, and a cessation of hostile activities against Pakistan. Until then, Pakistan’s stance should remain firm.
