ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on underlined the importance of diplomacy, stating that “war is not an option,” as Islamabad hosted high-level talks between United States and Iranian delegations in order to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East.
So far, Bilawal welcomed the ongoing negotiations, describing them as a critical opportunity to shift from conflict to dialogue. He noted that the talks follow weeks of destruction and uncertainty, adding that the international community is observing developments with “cautious optimism.”
“The fact that these talks are taking place is the biggest achievement so far,” Bilawal said, mentioning the significance of the ongoing ceasefire.
He pointed out that hostilities have largely subsided across the region, expressing hope that the temporary halt in violence could evolve into a lasting and comprehensive peace agreement.
In this regard, Bilawal focused on that the diplomatic breakthrough was the result of collective international efforts.
He acknowledged the role of several countries, including Pakistan, China, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, Egypt, and Qatar, in facilitating dialogue. “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.
The PPP leader cautioned that the path to peace remains complex. He described the negotiations as “challenging” and stressed the need for sustained commitment from all parties.
Meanwhile, diplomatic activity intensified in Islamabad as JD Vance arrived alongside key US envoys, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, for what has been termed the “Islamabad Talks 2026.” On the Iranian side, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf also reached Pakistan to participate in the high-stakes discussions.
