ISLAMABAD, Saturday, April 11, 2026 (WNP): Chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has described the ongoing Islamabad Talks as a critical opportunity to transform a fragile ceasefire into a durable peace, stressing that dialogue remains the only viable path forward.

In an exclusive interview with Al Ghad TV, Bilawal said reaching the negotiation stage after six weeks of conflict marked a “significant achievement,” given the heavy human and economic toll witnessed across the region and beyond.

“It is a huge achievement that the two warring parties have agreed to a ceasefire,” he said, noting that the pause in hostilities has created space for diplomacy to take hold.

Highlighting Pakistan’s role, he said Islamabad was serving as a host and facilitator, helping both sides move toward compromise. He pointed to initial frameworks put forward by the United States and Iran as positive signals, adding that detailed negotiations would determine the final outcome.

“The devil is in the details,” he remarked, emphasizing that it was now up to negotiating teams to bridge differences and reach a mutually acceptable solution.

Bilawal stressed that past conflicts—from Afghanistan to Iraq—demonstrate that war is not a solution, reiterating that sustainable peace can only be achieved through dialogue and diplomacy.

He rejected skepticism surrounding the talks, arguing that the cessation of hostilities itself should not be underestimated, particularly as it has halted ongoing military actions in key parts of the Middle East.

Looking ahead, he said the immediate challenge was to convert the temporary ceasefire into a permanent settlement to avoid recurring crises with global repercussions.

Referring to Pakistan’s ties with Saudi Arabia, Bilawal noted the existence of a bilateral security framework, while underscoring that current efforts remain focused on ensuring successful negotiations rather than preparing for conflict scenarios.

He warned that failure of the talks could risk renewed escalation or even trigger severe global economic consequences, adding that all efforts must now be directed toward securing a peaceful resolution.

“The only plan is to achieve successful negotiations,” he said, expressing hope that diplomacy would prevail over conflict.