ISLAMABAD (PEN) : Pakistan People’s Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Wednesday reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to combating terrorism, asserting that “surrender is not in Pakistan’s dictionary.”
Addressing an international conference on Pakistan’s counterterrorism efforts in Islamabad, Bilawal highlighted the country’s sacrifices and determination in the global fight against terrorism, stressing that Pakistan would never bow to extremist threats.
“Terrorism is a global issue, and we will defeat it to secure the future of our next generations,” he stated. “Pakistan will never bow before terrorists. Surrender is not an option for us. The world should come and learn from our armed forces.”
Call for Regional and Global Cooperation
Bilawal called on Afghanistan’s interim government to uphold the Doha Agreement and ensure that Afghan soil is not used for activities against Pakistan. He also urged the international community to extend meaningful support in the country’s anti-terror operations.
Referencing his late mother, former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, Bilawal noted, “My mother spoke out against terrorism in her last speech. Pakistan is ready to stand shoulder to shoulder with Afghanistan to combat terrorism.”
He warned against exploitation of regional sentiments and emphasized the importance of mutual trust and collaboration to achieve sustainable peace.
Message to India: “Recognize Pakistan’s Sacrifices”
Turning to Pakistan’s eastern neighbor, Bilawal urged Indian leadership to acknowledge the country’s losses in the war on terror and to pursue dialogue on longstanding disputes, including Kashmir.
“India must understand that Pakistan itself has been a victim of terrorism. Let’s resolve the Kashmir issue in accordance with international resolutions,” he said.
Pakistan’s Economic and Security Challenges
Bilawal revealed that terrorism has cost Pakistan over 92,000 lives and inflicted deep economic damage. He emphasized that Pakistan has emerged as a responsible global actor following its removal from the FATF grey list and continues to implement meaningful reforms.
“There is no religion or border for terrorists,” he added, highlighting the shared global responsibility to confront extremism.
He also voiced concerns over the evolving nature of threats, including online extremism and disinformation.
“We need to shift our focus to the digital front,” Bilawal said, calling for justice not only within the region but also from “Kashmir to Palestine” as a prerequisite for lasting global peace.
