ISLAMABAD –Bilawal India Partnership Former Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari once again invited India to collaborate with Pakistan in combating terrorism. While speaking at the international conference ‘Pakistan Fighting War for the World against Terrorism’, hosted by the Islamabad Policy Research Institute, Bilawal emphasized the need for a historic shift in bilateral relations between the two nations.
Instead of acting as rivals, he encouraged both countries to embrace a partnership for peace. “He said, “Let’s put aside the zero-sum attitude and cooperate to protect a billion lives from extremism.” He also urged India’s leadership to abandon a confrontational stance and embrace communication over antagonism.
A Call for Resolution on Key Disputes
Among the pressing concerns, Bilawal stressed the importance of resolving the Kashmir conflict and the issue of water distribution. He stated, “We must stop weaponizing water and resolve Kashmir according to the will of its people.”
Additionally, he highlighted that cooperation should stem from shared history—not hostility—emphasizing the nations’ deep roots in the Indus Valley civilization.
Bilawal characterized peace as an act of wisdom rather than weakness. According to him, Pakistan has consistently remained open to meaningful dialogue with its neighbor.
Pakistan’s Sacrifices in the Fight Against Terrorism
Bilawal reaffirmed that Pakistan has suffered significant casualties in its long-running fight against extremism. “We’re steering through the storm, not being dragged by it,” he said.
2024 was the deadliest year in a decade, with 444 terror incidents involving 685 security officials who accepted martyrdom.
Moreover, he praised military campaigns like Zarb-e-Azb and Raddul Fasaad for their success in dismantling Al-Qaeda, Daesh, and other separatist networks—especially in Balochistan.
Critique of Taliban and Global Expectations
Bilawal voiced disappointment over the Taliban regime’s failures to fulfill their promises. “They pledged stability but enabled a 40% surge in attacks on our soil,” he noted. He demanded that the Taliban uphold their commitments under the Doha Agreement and stop sheltering terrorist groups like TTP and BLA.
Lastly, he urged the international community to support counter-extremism initiatives by providing infrastructure, contemporary technology, and organized investment. “Winning hearts and minds is essential to defeating insurgency,” he said in closing.
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