Islamabad: Chairman Pakistan People’s Party Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Saturday said ‘war is not an option’ and welcomed the Islamabad Talks as a key opportunity for peace as US and Iranian delegations arrived in Pakistan.

In an interview with ‘Al Jazeera’, Bilawal Bhutto said the negotiations come after weeks of devastation, noting that the world is watching ‘with cautious optimism’ as efforts are made to move from conflict towards dialogue.

‘The fact that these talks are taking place is the biggest achievement so far,’ he said, adding it is significant that ‘the ceasefire is in effect’ and that ‘the bombing has stopped across most of the Middle East.’ He added that there is hope the current ceasefire can lead to ‘a more lasting and permanent resolution to this conflict.’

Referring to the broader diplomatic effort, he said multiple countries have played a role in creating space for dialogue, including Pakistan, China, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, Egypt and Qatar. ‘Everybody has been affected by this, so everybody is making a collective effort to create the diplomatic space for this ceasefire to take place,’ he said.

However, he cautioned that the path ahead remains difficult, adding the talks are ‘complex and challenging,’ but stressed that ‘war is not an option,’ warning the conflict will continue to have serious consequences unless a middle ground is reached for lasting peace.

Responding to questions regarding alliances being redrawn in the Gulf region, Bilawal said regional actors remain focused on resolving the ongoing conflict. ‘I think everybody is focused in the now, in resolving this current conflict,’ he said, adding that the situation has had the ‘most impact on the Middle East,’ including Iran and several Gulf countries.

He further noted that broader questions about shifting alliances would need to 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 efforts fail, saying there remains ‘the danger that we don’t achieve that,’ adding that such an outcome would have repercussions ‘for the entire region.’