Islamabad | Wednesday, July 2, 2025— Former Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, while addressing an international conference held at the Islamabad Policy Research Institute (IPRI) on Wednesday, renewed his call for peaceful engagement with India. He firmly invited the Indian leadership to embrace a historic opportunity to build peace and combat terrorism together with Pakistan.
Bilawal Bhutto Proposes a Historic Peace Initiative
Speaking at the conference titled “Pakistan Fighting War for the World Against Terrorism,” Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari clearly outlined Pakistan’s willingness to build a partnership with India that prioritizes regional stability and shared prosperity. He firmly stated, “Pakistan is ready to forge a historic, phenomenal partnership with India to jointly combat terror.”
Bilawal emphasized that both countries must stop acting as adversaries in a zero-sum game and instead rise to their moral and civilisational obligation. He urged India to descend from what he described as a “high horse” and engage in meaningful peace efforts.
“Let us not play a zero-sum game. Let us act like neighbours and partners. Let us save over a billion people from the plague of extremism. We can combat terrorism through unity, not hostility,” he asserted passionately.
Call to Resolve Core Issues: Kashmir and Water
Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari did not shy away from addressing the underlying issues between India and Pakistan. He strongly urged Indian leaders to work toward a lasting resolution on the Kashmir dispute and the critical water crisis. He emphasized that both nations must resolve these problems not through militarization or rhetoric, but through dialogue and mutual respect.
“Let us resolve Kashmir in accordance with the aspirations of the people,” he said. “Let us end the weaponisation of water. Let us build peace as mighty as the Himalayas.”
Moreover, he reminded the audience of the region’s shared history, saying, “Let us return to our ancient roots—roots not of hatred, but of unity, founded in the Indus Valley Civilization.” According to Bilawal, extending a hand of friendship is not a weakness; rather, it is wisdom. He reiterated that to combat terrorism is impossible without peace in South Asia.
Pakistan’s Ongoing Fight Against Terrorism
Throughout his address, the former foreign minister repeatedly emphasized Pakistan’s sacrifices and resilience in the long combat terrorism. Highlighting the cost of the conflict, he stated that Pakistan is “not drifting through the storm of combat terrorism, we are steering the vessel.” He pointed out the tragic reality that 2024 was the deadliest year in a decade, during which 685 security personnel were martyred in 444 terrorist incidents.
Bilawal praised the contributions of Pakistan’s armed forces, calling their actions pivotal in dismantling terrorist networks. “Over the past two decades,” he said, “our military forces, backed by iron-willed citizens, have broken the backs of Al-Qaeda, dismantled so-called caliphates like Daesh, and driven TTP from fortress to foxholes.”
He credited operations like Zarb-e-Azb and Raddul Fassad for eradicating terrorist hubs and sleeper cells across Pakistan. Ongoing efforts in Balochistan, he noted, continue to sever links between separatist elements and foreign-funded terrorism. “These efforts prove that Pakistan has fought and continues to combat terrorism not just for itself, but for the world.”
A Message to the World and to Extremists
While focusing on external threats, Bilawal also took a firm stand against internal extremism. “There is no constitutional right to weaponize religion,” he said, directly addressing hate merchants inside the country. He urged that any campaign against terrorism must also safeguard innocent civilians from collective punishment.
Furthermore, Bilawal highlighted the failure of the Taliban regime in Afghanistan to deliver on its promises of peace. “We supported them, yet faced increased attacks. Kabul must uphold its commitments under the Doha Accord,” he demanded. “We saved Kabul. Sovereignty comes with duty stop the flow of fighters, choke the traffic of arms, and honour your commitments.”
The former foreign minister also called for global cooperation to combat terrorism, emphasizing that this threat knows no nationality, religion, or boundary. “No counter-insurgency has ever succeeded without first winning hearts and minds,” he stressed. “We need equitable burden sharing, structured investment, and access to modern counter-terror technologies.”
Bilawal concluded his speech by stating that the world must recognize Pakistan’s transformation into a responsible counterterrorism state. He reminded India that “this is not a concession but an opportunity,” adding, “No fence or regional dominance can protect any nation from a fire that it may have helped ignite on the other side.”
Conclusion: Time to Build, Not Break
Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari’s address reflected a balanced yet assertive approach, reiterating Pakistan’s enduring commitment to combat terrorism and foster peace. By extending an olive branch to India and highlighting Pakistan’s sacrifices, he positioned the country as a serious actor in global and regional counterterrorism efforts.
With repeated calls for peace, equitable development, and shared responsibility, Bilawal’s vision urged both India and the international community to stop viewing Pakistan through outdated lenses. “Let us build peace,” he said, “not on hatred, but on the foundations of shared history, mutual respect, and joint resolve to combat terrorism in all its forms.”
