Former Foreign Minister Warns Against Weaponising Water
BRUSSELS: Former foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Saturday reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to regional peace, emphasizing that lasting stability with India cannot be achieved without dialogue. He warned that war is not a solution and urged New Delhi to return to the negotiating table, particularly on the Kashmir dispute.
Speaking at a press conference in Brussels as head of a parliamentary delegation, Bhutto stressed Pakistan’s desire for peaceful engagement despite rising tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbours. “Pakistan wants peace; war is not the answer to any problem,” he said.
He noted that while both countries possess nuclear weapons, hostility continues to escalate. “We believe all outstanding issues — especially Kashmir — can only be resolved through meaningful negotiations,” Bhutto added.
Criticizing India’s reluctance to engage, the PPP chairman said, “Pakistan is committed to comprehensive talks. Unfortunately, India has repeatedly walked away from dialogue.”
Bhutto also condemned recent remarks from Indian officials hinting at disrupting Pakistan’s water supply, calling such threats “irresponsible” and “provocative.” He cautioned that any attempt to weaponise water would prompt a “certain” response from Islamabad.
Reflecting on the broader regional context, Bhutto observed that past conflicts between the two nations had failed to bring peace. “Wars may have ended, but true peace remains absent in South Asia. We seek enduring peace in the region,” he stated.
He also referenced the recent Pahalgam incident, offering India full cooperation and transparency through an impartial investigation.
Reiterating Pakistan’s long-standing stance on Kashmir, Bhutto reminded the global community that the issue remains unresolved and on the UN Security Council’s agenda. “Kashmir is not an internal matter — it is an international dispute that demands attention,” he concluded.
