Pakistan Extends Olive Branch to India, Calls for Partnership in Combating Terrorism

Former foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has extended an olive branch to India, calling for a partnership to combat terrorism and end outstanding disputes, including the Kashmir issue and the water crisis. Addressing an international conference in Islamabad, he emphasized the need for a collective effort to defeat terrorism, which he described as a global crisis that requires a sustainable future. Bilawal also highlighted Pakistan's achievements in combating terrorism, including the efforts of the armed forces and security personnel, and called on the world to learn from Pakistan's experience.

Key Takeaways:

• Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has repeatedly called for India and Pakistan to engage in a dialogue to establish peace, with a focus on addressing the issue of terrorism.
• He emphasized the need for a collective global effort to eliminate terrorism, which he described as a menace that respects no law and has no nationality, religion, caste, or creed.
• Bilawal highlighted Pakistan's achievements in combating terrorism, including the efforts of the armed forces and security personnel, which have broken the backs of Al Qaeda networks and dismantled the ISIS caliphate.
• He noted the rise in militant violence over the past year, with 444 separate attacks resulting in the deaths of 685 service members.
• Bilawal called on India's leadership to step down from its "high horse" and pursue peace with Pakistan, emphasizing that all it requires is a willingness to engage in dialogue and address outstanding disputes.
• He emphasized the need for equitable burden sharing and structured investment in counter-terrorism and counter-violent extremism, as well as modern technology and weaponry.

Statistics:

• 685 service members were killed in 444 separate attacks in 2024, making it the deadliest year in a decade.
• Pakistan's armed forces have broken the backs of Al Qaeda networks, dismantled the ISIS caliphate, and driven the TTP from the fort to the foxhills.
• The country has rendered tremendous human and economic loss in the war on terror, but continues to fight against terrorism.
• Pakistan is considered one of the most serious counter-terrorism states, after being removed from the FATF grey list.

Sources:

• Islamabad Policy Research Institute (IPRI)
• Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari's speech at the IPRI conference on "Pakistan Fighting War for the World against Terrorism"
• Fatf (Financial Action Task Force)
• Various news articles and reports from the Pakistan media.