Bilawal sees ‘Islamabad talks’ as key to regional peace

Pakistan People’s Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said on Saturday that “war is not an option” and hailed the Islamabad talks as a key opportunity for peace as US and Iranian delegations arrive in Pakistan.

In an interview with Al Jazeera, Bilawal said the negotiations came after weeks of devastation, noting that the world was watching “with cautious optimism” efforts to move from conflict to dialogue.

“The fact that these talks are taking place is the greatest achievement yet,” he said, adding that it is significant that “the ceasefire is in effect” and “the bombing has stopped in most of the Middle East.” He added that there is hope that the current ceasefire could lead to “a more lasting and permanent resolution to this conflict.”

Referring to the broader diplomatic effort, he said several countries have played a role in creating space for dialogue, including Pakistan, China, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt and Qatar. “Everyone has been affected by this, so everyone is making a collective effort to create the diplomatic space necessary for this ceasefire,” he said.

He warned, however, that the road ahead remains difficult, adding that negotiations are “complex and difficult”, but stressed that “war is not an option”, warning that the conflict will continue to have serious consequences unless common ground is found for lasting peace.

Responding to questions regarding the reshaping of alliances in the Gulf region, Bilawal said regional players remain focused on resolving the ongoing conflict. “I think everyone is focused on the present moment, on resolving the current conflict,” he said, adding that the situation has had “the most impact on the Middle East,” including Iran and several Gulf countries.

Learn more: Pakistan’s envoy to US says Islamabad plays role of facilitator in US-Iran talks, outcome depends on parties

He further noted that broader questions about changing alliances should be addressed later, stressing that this would only be possible “if this ceasefire is permanent and we have a solution to this conflict.”

He also warned of wider consequences if the efforts fail, saying there remains “the danger that we won’t succeed”, adding that such an outcome would have repercussions “across the entire region”.

US Vice President JD Vance has landed in Islamabad as part of an American delegation to discuss the ceasefire between the United States and Iran, dubbed the ‘Islamabad 2026 talks’, the Foreign Ministry said on Saturday. The delegation included Vance and President Donald Trump’s top Middle East envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf landed in Pakistan on Friday evening to participate in high-stakes negotiations with the United States.

Meanwhile, Pakistani lawmakers and political figures from the other side have welcomed the talks, calling them an honor and stressing the need for dialogue. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), in an article on X, expressed its hope that the ongoing US-Iran negotiations in Islamabad would succeed. The party said it offers “sincere prayers for the success” of the negotiations and hopes the deliberations will produce “constructive and mutually beneficial results.”

The PTI said the talks are expected to help “advance the collective interests of the Muslim Ummah”, while strengthening Pakistan’s strategic interests and promoting “peace, stability and prosperity” in the wider region.

“May Allah Almighty bless these efforts with wisdom and guidance,” expressing hope that the discussions will result in “fruitful resolutions that will serve the greater good of all parties concerned,” the statement added.

Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, also in an article on

He said: “Our efforts have been guided by a simple conviction: distrust must give way to dialogue, restraint must prevail over escalation, and wisdom must triumph over the impulse to war. »

The minister said “the burden of failure will not fall solely on the fighters”, but will be felt by “ordinary men, women and children around the world” through rising insecurity, inflation and instability.

Iqbal warned that continued conflict would be “catastrophic not only for the region, but also for the global community.” He expressed hope that the talks would succeed, saying their outcome would be crucial for “regional peace” and “the economic security and future of millions of families around the world.”

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz described the recent developments as a “proud moment for Pakistan”, saying the country has emerged into a leading role on the world stage in an article on X.

The chief minister congratulated the country’s leadership for restoring Pakistan’s international stature. “Today is a proud moment for Pakistan. Few could have imagined our nation playing a leading role on the world stage, and yet here we are,” Maryam said.

The leaders, including those of Prime Minister Shehbaz, Ishaq Dar and Field Marshal Asim Munir, were credited with playing a “pivotal role in restoring the stature and pride of the country”. She added that their efforts had brought “renewed confidence and honor to Pakistan,” making “every Pakistani truly proud.”

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi also said the arrival of the American and Iranian delegations in Islamabad marked a “defining moment in the history of Pakistan”.

In an article on X, he said: “Today is not just another day; it is a defining moment in Pakistan’s history,” adding that Islamabad is hosting “one of the most important diplomatic negotiations of our time between Washington and Tehran.”

The governor added that Pakistan “stands at the heart of global diplomacy,” helping to guide the region and the world away from conflict and toward lasting peace.

Terming it a moment of national importance, he said, “With the eyes of the whole world watching, this is a proud moment for all Pakistanis and a diplomatic victory for Pakistan. »

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Pakistan has become a key mediator in the region. On February 28, the United States and Israel launched airstrikes against Iran, prompting Tehran to retaliate by attacking Israel and U.S. military bases in the Gulf. This escalation of tensions in the Middle East has led Pakistan’s political and military leadership to make efforts to de-escalate the situation.

To ease tensions, Pakistan also hosted a quadrilateral meeting of foreign ministers in Islamabad, with representatives from Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Egypt. The meeting attracted worldwide attention and was widely appreciated for Pakistan’s efforts.

Pakistan and China also jointly proposed a five-point initiative aimed at restoring peace and stability in the Gulf and the entire Middle East.