Bilawal Warns of Rising Tensions Without Pakistan-India Dialogue

BRUSSELS (WEB DESK) —  Former Foreign Minister and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has cautioned that tensions between Pakistan and India will continue to rise unless both nuclear-armed neighbours engage in meaningful dialogue.

Speaking at a press conference in Brussels on Saturday, Bilawal said, “The region is not as safe as it was before the recent conflict with India, which consistently avoids negotiations with Pakistan.”

Bilawal is currently leading a high-level Pakistani parliamentary delegation in the European Union’s capital as part of Islamabad’s diplomatic outreach following the latest escalation with India. Prior to Brussels, the delegation visited Washington, New York, and London to counter what Pakistan calls Indian “propaganda” and to present its stance on recent developments.

According to a press release, the purpose of the visits is to convey Pakistan’s position on the recent conflict and to underscore the need for resolving the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in line with United Nations Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.

The delegation includes notable figures such as Hina Rabbani Khar, Sherry Rehman, Dr Musadik Malik, Khurram Dastgir Khan, Jalil Abbas Jilani, Tehmina Janjua, Bushra Anjum Butt, and Syed Faisal Subzwari.

The latest tensions began after a deadly attack on April 22 in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, where gunmen killed 26 civilians. India blamed Pakistan for orchestrating the attack—an allegation strongly denied by Islamabad.

Following the incident, India launched unilateral military operations that, according to Pakistani officials, resulted in civilian casualties. After three days of sustained attacks, Pakistan responded with “Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos,” which the government described as a defensive measure. Pakistan claimed to have downed six Indian Air Force fighter jets, including three Rafales, as well as numerous drones.

The hostilities ended on May 10 with a US-brokered ceasefire agreement, but tensions remain high.

Bilawal emphasized that war is not a solution and reiterated Pakistan’s desire for peace. “Despite both countries being nuclear powers, tensions are rapidly escalating,” he warned.

He also criticized India’s decision to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty, calling it an act of “weaponising water” and a deliberate provocation. “A ceasefire may be in place, but peace has not been achieved,” he said. “Pakistan will always advocate for lasting peace. We cannot afford a third world war,” Bilawal asserted.

In an earlier address to a European think tank, the PPP chairman highlighted Pakistan’s restraint in response to Indian provocations and warned that any further attempts by India to disrupt Pakistan’s water supply could compel Islamabad to consider retaliatory measures.