Islamabad (TDI): In a fresh outreach to New Delhi, Pakistan People’s Party Chairman and former foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has urged India to join hands with Pakistan in the fight against terrorism, calling for a shift from hostility to cooperation.
Speaking at an international conference organized by the Islamabad Policy Research Institute, Bilawal said Pakistan is ready to move forward and work with India, not as rivals, but as neighbors facing shared threats.
“We’re willing to partner with India to fight terrorism together,” he said. “Not from a place of hostility, but with a sense of shared responsibility. Our region deserves peace, and our people deserve better.”
He emphasized the need for dialogue, asking Indian leadership to step back from confrontation and reconsider their approach.
“It’s time to get off the high horse and work toward peace,” Bilawal said. “It’s not weakness to extend a hand, it’s maturity.”
Read More: Bilawal Declares Diplomatic Victory Over India
The PPP leader also raised the issue of long-standing disputes between the two countries, including Kashmir and water sharing. He urged a peaceful resolution in line with the aspirations of the people of Kashmir and stressed that regional cooperation is vital.
“Let’s stop using water as a weapon. Let’s resolve Kashmir through dialogue and justice,” he added. “We share history, culture, and geography. Why not a shared future too?”
Bilawal has consistently called for improved ties with India, and his remarks on Wednesday carried the same message, terrorism must be tackled together.
Turning to Pakistan’s own struggle, he pointed out that the country has paid a heavy price in its fight against extremism, thousands of lives lost, deep economic costs, and years of instability.
Read More: Bilawal Warns of Rising Tensions Without Pak-India Dialogue
“We are not lost in this fight, we’re leading it,” he said. “Giving up is not an option.” He noted that 2024 has already become one of the deadliest years in a decade for Pakistan’s security forces, with hundreds of personnel killed in militant attacks. Despite the challenges, he said, the country’s armed forces and people have stood firm.
“From dismantling Al Qaeda’s networks to pushing back Daesh and the TTP, our forces have done what many thought impossible,” he said.
Bilawal also took aim at Afghanistan’s Taliban government, accusing it of failing to stop cross-border attacks and providing space to groups like the TTP and BLA.
“We supported Kabul, but in return we saw a spike in violence,” he said. “The promises made under the Doha deal must be honored. Terror safe havens must be dismantled.”
He called for greater investment in counter-terror efforts and emphasized that military action alone won’t work.
“To win this fight, we need to win hearts and minds too. Development and opportunity are just as important as firepower,” he said.
Farkhund Yousafzai is an Associate Editor at The Diplomatic Insight.
