'War is not an option'

Bilawal calls 'Islamabad Talks' key to regional peace

ISLAMABAD:

Pakistan Peoples Party Chairperson Bilawal-Bhutto Zardari on Saturday said "war is not an option" and welcomed the Islamabad Talks as a key opportunity for peace as US and Iranian delegations arrived in Pakistan.

In an interview with Al Jazeera, Bilawal said the negotiations come after weeks of devastation, noting that the world is watching "with cautious optimism" as efforts are made to move from conflict towards dialogue.

"The fact that these talks are taking place is the biggest achievement so far," he said, adding it is significant that "the ceasefire is in effect" and that "the bombing has stopped across most of the Middle East." He added that there is hope the current ceasefire can lead to "a more lasting and permanent resolution to this conflict."

Referring to the broader diplomatic effort, he said multiple countries have played a role in creating space for dialogue, including Pakistan, China, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, Egypt and Qatar. "Everybody has been affected by this, so everybody is making a collective effort to create the diplomatic space for this ceasefire to take place," he said.

However, he cautioned that the path ahead remains difficult, adding the talks are "complex and challenging," but stressed that "war is not an option," warning the conflict will continue to have serious consequences unless a middle ground is reached for lasting peace.

Responding to questions regarding alliances being redrawn in the Gulf region, Bilawal said regional actors remain focused on resolving the ongoing conflict. "I think everybody is focused in the now, in resolving this current conflict," he said, adding that the situation has had the "most impact on the Middle East," including Iran and several Gulf countries.

He further noted that broader questions about shifting alliances would need to be addressed later, stressing that this would only be possible "if this ceasefire is permanent and we have a solution to this conflict."

He also warned of wider consequences if efforts fail, saying there remains "the danger that we don't achieve that," adding that such an outcome would have repercussions "for the entire region."

A day earlier, Bilawal, while speaking to Sky News, said that the international community "does not have a Plan B", warning of catastrophic human and economic consequences if talks between the United States and Iran fail to produce results.

According to the PPP chief, "all eyes" were on the visiting delegations, adding that the conflict had affected people in Pakistan, London, New York, the Middle East and Asia.

Asked whether there was a "Plan B" if talks did not lead to a formal agreement during the ceasefire period, Bilawal said: "I think the international community doesn't have a plan B. Our Plan A needs to achieve a peaceful resolution to this conflict and a more permanent peace."

"We can sort of measure the toll of this conflict not only in the loss of human lives but the economic cost that is borne by the people in my country and in yours, so we are all hopeful," he said.

He said the current ceasefire space should be built upon to move towards "a more lasting, more permanent peace for the benefit of the international community".

Responding to a question on Pakistan's diplomatic role and associated challenges, Bilawal said Islamabad's engagement was a significant achievement, adding that efforts had been underway over the past month to bring the US and Iran to a ceasefire and define the outlines for continued dialogue.

He acknowledged, however, that challenges remained, particularly the trust deficit between the two sides.

"But as with diplomatic engagements and negotiations, there will be confidence-building measures that both sides will take in order to increase the space for dialogue and diplomacy in the pursuit of peace," he said.