Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, chairman of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), has urged the Afghan interim Taliban government to honour its commitments under the Doha Agreement to ensure stability in the region. Speaking at the opening session of an international conference on Pakistan’s War on Terror, he emphasized Pakistan’s significant sacrifices in fighting terrorism, highlighting that over the past two and a half decades, the country has lost 9,200 civilians and soldiers and incurred economic losses exceeding a billion dollars.
Bilawal expressed concern that the Taliban regime’s failure to fulfill its promises has led to a 40% increase in militant attacks on Pakistani soil. He accused the Afghan authorities of providing sanctuary to various militant groups, including the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), and East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM). He urged the Afghan rulers to take responsibility by stopping the flow of fighters and arms across the border, stressing that sovereignty comes with duties and consequences.
Additionally, Bilawal called upon India to engage in meaningful dialogue to achieve lasting peace, emphasizing the resolution of the Kashmir dispute in accordance with the aspirations of its people. He also condemned the use of water as a geopolitical weapon, urging for cooperative measures instead.
Concluding his remarks, Bilawal stressed the need for a united global effort to eliminate terrorism, stating that terrorism recognizes no laws, borders, or beliefs. He emphasized the importance of learning from Pakistan’s experience in combating extremism and underscored the country’s ongoing commitment to ensuring security and stability in the region.
