ISLAMABAD: PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has warned that lasting peace in South Asia cannot be achieved without resolving three critical disputes between Pakistan and India: Kashmir, water rights, and terrorism.
Speaking to reporters after a briefing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday, the former foreign minister cautioned that a nuclear confrontation between the two neighbours would have catastrophic consequences for the region and beyond.
“There must be dialogue to address terrorism. The people of both nations desire peace, but it cannot be realised unless the core issues of Kashmir, terrorism, and water are resolved,” he stated.
In line with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s directive, Mr Bhutto-Zardari will soon lead a high-level diplomatic mission to key international capitals. The goal is to inform global leaders about India’s aggressive actions that, according to Pakistan, threaten regional stability.
The delegation includes Senator Sherry Rehman, Dr Musadik Malik, Engineer Khurram Dastgir, Hina Rabbani Khar, Faisal Sabzwari, Tehmina Janjua, and Jalil Abbas Jilani. The group recently received an initial Foreign Office briefing covering topics such as the ceasefire situation, the Kashmir conflict, terrorism, and concerns over India’s alleged violation of the Indus Waters Treaty.
The PPP chairman reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to peace, emphasizing that regional stability hinges on resolving key flashpoints, particularly the Kashmir dispute and cross-border terrorism.
“Pakistan has been one of the worst victims of terrorism,” he said, urging the international community to acknowledge the dangers posed by India’s current posture. He also expressed concern over India’s alleged attempts to weaponize water resources, warning of the broader implications for regional security.
Highlighting the risks of escalation, Mr Bhutto-Zardari noted that even a single terrorist incident has previously brought the two nuclear-armed countries dangerously close to war. “India’s push to normalize such tensions is not in its own interest either,” he said.
He praised Prime Minister Sharif for demonstrating “maturity and responsibility” during recent tensions, asserting that Pakistan acted in self-defence following Indian provocations. “Pakistan stood for truth while India built a narrative based on falsehoods, and the world is responding positively to our principled stance,” he added.
In a recent post on X (formerly Twitter), Mr Bhutto-Zardari confirmed his appointment to lead the delegation tasked with presenting Pakistan’s perspective internationally. “I am honoured to accept this responsibility and remain committed to serving Pakistan in these challenging times,” he wrote.
Meanwhile, India has also announced the dispatch of seven cross-party delegations to major international partners — including members of the UN Security Council — to share its views on terrorism and promote what it calls a national consensus.
