PPP Chairman and former foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has warned that a nuclear conflict between India and Pakistan would cause irreversible damage to the region and beyond. Speaking to the media in Islamabad on Wednesday, Bilawal stressed the urgency of peace and dialogue.
His statement came as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ordered a high-level diplomatic delegation to visit major world capitals. The mission aims to counter what Pakistan calls “Indian propaganda” following recent military escalations.
Bilawal will lead the delegation. Other members include Senator Sherry Rehman, Dr Musadik Malik, Engineer Khurram Dastgir, Hina Rabbani Khar, Faisal Sabzwari, Tehmina Janjua, and Jalil Abbas Jilani.
The delegation gathered at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for an initial briefing. They discussed critical topics such as ceasefire violations, the Kashmir conflict, terrorism, and alleged attacks on the Indus Waters Treaty. Bilawal said the briefings would continue in the coming days before their international visits begin.
Pakistan Emphasises Peace, Dialogue, and Regional Stability
Bilawal said Pakistan’s message to the world is simple — the country wants peace. “We believe lasting peace depends on resolving core issues like Kashmir, terrorism, and water disputes,” he said.
He cautioned that India’s attempts to create a “new normal” in the region are dangerous. “History has shown us that a terrorist attack can bring us close to nuclear war,” Bilawal warned.
He underscored that Pakistan has suffered greatly due to terrorism. “We need serious dialogue to find lasting solutions,” he urged. “Both nations must understand that people want peace, not war.”
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Bilawal also raised concern over India’s alleged weaponisation of water. “We must tell the world that tampering with water rights can escalate tensions dangerously,” he said.
He added that a conflict between two nuclear nations would affect the global community, not just South Asia. “That’s why our delegation will explain the broader consequences to world leaders,” he said.
Praising Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s handling of the crisis, Bilawal said, “Pakistan acted responsibly. We defended ourselves without provocation. The world is seeing that we are standing with truth, while India is spinning lies.”
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Bilawal said he was honoured to lead the mission. “I will present Pakistan’s case for peace on the international stage. It’s a privilege to serve the nation in these critical times,” he wrote.
Meanwhile, India also announced that it would send seven all-party delegations to key partner countries, including members of the UN Security Council. India’s aim is to present its narrative on terrorism and show a united national front.
As both countries prepare their diplomatic offensives, the world watches closely. The stakes are high, and the consequences of missteps could be catastrophic.