By Amjad Qaimkhani
NEW YORK: Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has said that sustainable peace in South Asia cannot be achieved without resolving the long-standing Jammu and Kashmir dispute. Speaking in New York, where he is leading a parliamentary delegation to the Pakistani Permanent Mission to the United Nations, the former foreign minister began his visit with an interview to an international news outlet.
According to the mission’s spokesperson, Bilawal emphasized Pakistan’s desire for peace, which he said must come through dignity, strength and diplomacy. He warned that the current ceasefire between Pakistan and India should not be mistaken for permanent peace. “There can be no durable peace without the resolution of the Kashmir dispute,” he said, adding that the only viable solution lies in respecting the will and aspirations of the Kashmiri people.
Bilawal also criticized India’s decision to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty, calling it a violation of international law and bilateral commitments. He said India’s unilateral actions were setting a dangerous precedent, with serious implications for regional peace and stability. He urged the international community to play a more active role in facilitating dialogue between Pakistan and India. “We are ready to talk on Kashmir, the Indus Waters Treaty, and on the issue of terrorism,” he said.
Recalling Pakistan’s suffering at the hands of terrorism, Bilawal said the country’s political leadership, armed forces, and civilians have all paid a heavy price. He also accused India of aggression by violating international borders, stating that Pakistan had responded only in self-defence. “This was a military and diplomatic victory for Pakistan,” he said, “and it shook the Indian leadership.”
