Former foreign minister and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has cautioned that tensions between Pakistan and India will continue to rise unless both countries engage in dialogue. Speaking at a press conference in Brussels, Bilawal accused India of evading negotiations, exacerbating instability in the region. He is leading a high-level Pakistani delegation to the EU to counter Indian propaganda and highlight Pakistan’s stance on Kashmir and recent conflicts.
The recent flare-up between the two nuclear-armed neighbors began after an attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) on April 22, which India blamed on Pakistan. Islamabad denied the allegations, but India launched unilateral strikes, killing civilians. Pakistan retaliated in self-defense with Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos, downing six Indian fighter jets and drones. The conflict ended on May 10 with a US-brokered ceasefire, but tensions remain high.
Bilawal stressed that Pakistan seeks peace, warning that war is not a solution. He condemned India’s threats to halt water flow under the Indus Waters Treaty, calling it a dangerous provocation. “A ceasefire was signed, but peace has not been achieved,” he said, urging the international community to intervene before the situation worsens.
The PPP chairman also warned that any further attempts by India to block Pakistan’s water supply could force Islamabad to take retaliatory action. He emphasized that both nations possess nuclear capabilities, making de-escalation critical. “We cannot afford a third world war,” Bilawal stated, reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to dialogue while cautioning against unchecked aggression.