Former foreign minister and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has warned that the international community has no “Plan B” if ongoing US-Iran talks fail to produce a peaceful resolution.
Speaking in an interview with Sky News, Bilawal stressed that diplomacy remains the only viable path forward as tensions continue in the Middle East. He said that a war of this scale and nature is not an option for the world.
He added that the primary goal must be to ensure a peaceful and lasting settlement between the parties involved, warning that failure to achieve this could lead to a broader regional conflict.
Bilawal made these remarks ahead of expected US-Iran negotiations in Islamabad, which are taking place following a temporary ceasefire brokered with Pakistan’s involvement.
He said that global attention is now focused on the outcome of the talks and emphasized that many countries, including Pakistan, the United Kingdom, the United States, and others, have already been affected by the ongoing conflict—both in terms of human lives and economic impact.
According to him, the cost of continued instability would be felt not only in the region but across the world.
Responding to questions about Pakistan’s role, Bilawal said the country’s responsibility is to host and facilitate dialogue between the two sides. He described the fact that both parties are willing to engage in talks as a significant diplomatic achievement.
He also highlighted the trust deficit between the United States and Iran as a major challenge in the negotiations, but expressed hope that confidence-building measures would help expand the space for dialogue.
When asked about criticism suggesting Pakistan may be focusing on its international image, Bilawal rejected the notion and said the priority is peace and regional stability, particularly given Pakistan’s geographic and economic exposure to neighbouring conflicts.
He noted Pakistan’s close relations with neighbouring countries, including China, Iran, and Afghanistan, and said the country has historically played a bridging role in international diplomacy.
Bilawal added that Pakistan’s efforts are focused on ensuring stability in the region, warning that further escalation of conflict would have severe consequences for the global economy and regional security.
He concluded that achieving peace is the only acceptable outcome for Pakistan and the wider international community.
