ISLAMABAD, JUN 14: Former foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Saturday reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to regional peace, stressing that war is not a solution and all disputes, including the Kashmir issue, must be resolved through comprehensive dialogue.
Speaking at a press conference in Brussels as the head of a parliamentary delegation, Mr Bhutto said Pakistan seeks peaceful engagement with India despite increasing tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. “Pakistan wants peace; war is not a solution to any problem,” he told reporters.
He pointed out that even though both countries are nuclear powers, bilateral tensions have escalated significantly. “We believe that all outstanding issues — particularly the Kashmir dispute — can only be resolved through meaningful negotiations and diplomacy,” he said.
The PPP chairman lamented that India has consistently refused to engage in dialogue. “Pakistan believes in comprehensive talks. Unfortunately, India has always turned away from the negotiation table,” he said.
Mr Bhutto also accused New Delhi ofcc, referring to recent statements from Indian officials hinting at the disruption of Pakistan’s water supply. “India’s threat to stop Pakistan’s water is not only irresponsible but also a provocation,” he added, warning that any such action would elicit a “certain” response from Islamabad.
Referring to the broader regional picture, Mr Bhutto recalled that despite previous wars, peace had never truly taken hold in South Asia. “The Pakistan-India war ended, but peace was never established. We want lasting peace in the region,” he said.
The former foreign minister also referenced the Pahalgam incident and offered India an impartial investigation into the matter. “We are ready for transparency and cooperation,” he stated.
Highlighting Pakistan’s consistent stance on the Kashmir issue, he reminded the international community that it remains a long-standing item on the UN Security Council agenda. “Kashmir is not an internal matter — it’s an unresolved international dispute,” he stressed.
