ISLAMABAD: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and high-level parliamentary delegation called on the international community Friday to engage with India and emphasise that military confrontation is not a solution to the Kashmir dispute or terrorism, stressing that dialogue is the only way forward.
“We appeal to European Union to play its role for peace in our region,” he said in a press talk with media in Brussels after meeting with European External Action Service (EEAS).
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that US President Donald Trump once again said that he was ready to mediate and help on Kashmir and the progress in the United Nations is also before everyone. “And a positive response has also come from the European Union and United Kingdom,” he said adding that Pakistan is talking about the peace, the US is also talking about the peace but the India is only talking about the war and hope that India will change its position sooner or later.
In a reply to a question of Israel attack on Iran, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said, “We condemn Israel’s unprovoked attack on Iran. The way Israel had earlier attacked its neighbours and perpetrated genocide in Palestine and now Israel brings the war in our region and we condemn Israel. We demand that the war should stop and the world should play its role, we do not want that this war should continue,” he said.
While in a strategic policy briefing and roundtable discussion with prominent Belgian and EU-based think tanks, academics, and policy experts in Brussels PPP chairman and high-level parliamentary delegation warned against weaponization of water as a dangerous new frontier in regional contestation.
The parliamentary delegation led by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari convened the event, titled “South Asia’s Security Landscape and the Imperative for Multilateral Engagement”, and it formed a key part of the delegation’s broader engagement to strengthen dialogue on critical regional and global developments. In his keynote address, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari presented a comprehensive assessment of the evolving geopolitical dynamics in South Asia and also warned against the weaponization of water as a dangerous new frontier in regional contestation and strongly criticised India’s decision to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), a cornerstone of transboundary water cooperation in South Asia.
He cautioned that such unilateral moves threaten ecosystems, livelihoods, and set a perilous precedent in an era already defined by climate stress and resource scarcity.
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari expressed deep concern over India’s increasing departure from multilateralism and its growing tilt towards unilateralism, manifested through the violation of bilateral agreements, disregard for international law, and aggressive military posturing.
He noted that India’s recent actions, including unprovoked strikes on civilian targets and attempts to redefine regional norms without consultation or accountability, pose serious risks to regional peace and stability.
Throughout the discussion, the delegation reiterated Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to peace, dialogue, and regional stability.
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari underlined Pakistan’s policy of restraint in the face of repeated provocations, reaffirming that Pakistan had no interest in conflict and remains committed to resolving all outstanding disputes, including Jammu and Kashmir, through peaceful means and in accordance with the UN Charter and Security Council resolutions.
He emphasised that the Jammu and Kashmir dispute must be resolved in line with United Nations Security Council resolutions.
Bilawal criticised India’s “new abnormal” policy of blaming Pakistan for any terrorist attack in India or Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir without evidence, leading to immediate threats of war. He recalled that Pakistan had proposed an impartial international investigation into the recent Pahalgam incident, but India rejected the offer.
Bilawal stated that India had failed to provide evidence linking Pakistan to the incident. “To this day, India hasn’t revealed the identities of the attackers or how they crossed the heavily militarised border,” he said, accusing India of violating Pakistan’s sovereignty with its recent airstrikes.
Bilawal urged Europe and the global community to intervene before tensions spiral out of control, warning that inaction could lead to another war between the nuclear-armed neighbours.
Discussions also covered climate resilience, the need for equitable global governance, migration, youth engagement, and strengthening Pakistan-EU institutional partnerships.
The policy roundtable was part of Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to deepen diplomatic and intellectual engagement with the European policy community and to present its narrative on key issues of regional and global importance.
While Pakistani delegation held a significant meeting with Olaf Skoog, Deputy Secretary General for Political Affairs at the European External Action Service (EEAS).
During the meeting, both sides exchanged views on a range of issues, with particular focus on the peace and security situation in South Asia.
PPP chairman apprised the European Union leadership of the escalating threats to regional stability arising from India’s increasingly aggressive posture.
He emphasised Pakistan’s commitment to peace, underscoring the country’s consistent stance in favour of resolving all disputes through dialogue and diplomacy.
Highlighting a growing concern, Bhutto Zardari pointed to India’s alleged attempts to weaponize water resources, calling it a violation of international humanitarian norms and global legal standards.
He urged the international community to press India to uphold international law and refrain from unilateral actions that jeopardize regional peace.
“Pakistan desires peaceful coexistence,” he stated, “but India’s belligerence, particularly in manipulating shared water resources, is a dangerous provocation that must not be ignored.”
Bilawal also emphasised the importance of the European Union as a key pillar of the rules-based international order, expressing hope that the EU would play an active role in promoting peace and legal norms in South Asia. “The EU has a moral and strategic responsibility to support efforts for peace and uphold international laws across all regions,” he said.
Meanwhile, the European Union Special Envoy for Climate and Environmental Diplomacy, Anthony Agotha, called on PPP Chairman and former foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, in Brussels.
The meeting took place in the context of the ongoing visit of the high-level parliamentary delegation of Pakistan to the European Union.
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari welcomed the special envoy’s engagement and reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to climate justice, inclusive environmental cooperation, and multilateralism.
Drawing attention to the growing convergence between regional stability and climate security, he expressed serious concern over India’s unilateral decision to hold the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance.
He cautioned that such actions constitute a reckless assault on longstanding international agreements and set a dangerous precedent in the politicisation of natural resources, particularly in a climate stressed and densely populated region like South Asia.
PPP chairman briefed the special envoy on Pakistan’s acute climate vulnerability, noting that despite contributing less than one percent to global greenhouse gas emissions, Pakistan remains among the top ten countries most affected by climate induced disasters.
He recalled the devastation caused by the 2022 floods and underscored the urgent need for scaled up adaptation financing to build resilience among the most vulnerable communities.
The two sides also exchanged views on advancing Pakistan-EU green cooperation.
PPP chairman outlined Pakistan’s interest in forging deeper partnerships with the European Union on green technology transfer, including innovation in agriculture, water management, and renewable energy.
He emphasised that climate adaptation must go hand in hand with a sustainable energy transition and welcomed potential European collaboration in scaling up Pakistan’s renewable energy capacity, particularly solar and wind.
In addition, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari highlighted Pakistan’s efforts towards developing resilient infrastructure and nature based solutions to mitigate future climate shocks.
He stressed the importance of mobilising long-term investment in sustainable development while ensuring that equity and inclusion remain at the core of global climate responses.
The PPP chairman appreciated the European Union’s continued support to Pakistan in the aftermath of the 2022 floods and expressed the hope that both sides would continue to work together to build a climate-resilient and sustainable future.
The meeting reaffirmed the shared understanding that environmental challenges must not be politicised and that climate cooperation should be guided by principles of fairness, responsibility, and solidarity.
