Former Acting Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar has called for unconditional dialogue between India and Pakistan to address mutual grievances and promote regional peace.

The hostility between India and Pakistan has endured since the partition in 1947, fueled by longstanding disputes over Kashmir, cross-border terrorism, water rights, and the insurgency in Balochistan. However, during the ongoing Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit, former acting Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar presented a potential breakthrough: a call for unconditional dialogue between the two nations.

In an interview with ABP News, Kakar praised India’s participation in the summit and dispelled rumors that Pakistan was unwilling to engage in bilateral talks. He clarified that Pakistan has made no such refusal, pointing out that it is India, with its preconditions, that has delayed progress.

He argued that India’s insistence on talks only under certain conditions undermines the potential for mutual cooperation and stymies any realistic path toward peace. While Pakistan has taken concrete measures—such as banning the Lashkar-e-Taiba, the militant group led by Hafiz Saeed—India, Kakar noted, has not reciprocated by addressing its alleged support for Baloch separatist groups like the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) and Baloch National Army (BNA). This imbalance of actions, particularly on counterterrorism, erodes trust and perpetuates the conflict.

For any dialogue to be meaningful, both nations must confront terrorism in all its forms, taking action against both cross-border attacks and insurgencies. Prioritizing national interests over unilateral conditions is the only way to establish sustainable peace.

One of Pakistan’s key grievances centers around the arrest of Indian Navy Commander Kulbhushan Jadhav, who was allegedly involved in orchestrating attacks within Pakistan, including those in Mazar Sharif. Jadhav, along with figures like Uzair Baloch, has been accused of inciting insurgencies, stoking anti-state sentiments, and coordinating assaults on security forces. These allegations underscore the persistent security challenges Pakistan faces and highlight the necessity for India to take responsibility for its purported ties to militant groups like the BLA and BNA. Without concerted efforts to curb such activities, Kakar warns, a lasting peace will remain elusive.

This regional instability is further evidenced by a recent police operation in Karachi, where authorities arrested two suspected agents of India’s intelligence agency, the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW). The suspects, Khawar Hussain and Jaber, were allegedly involved in targeted killings and other terrorist activities, with police recovering weapons and explosives. Their capture highlights the transnational nature of the threat, revealing the international dimension of the insurgencies plaguing Pakistan.

The BLA and BNA have claimed responsibility for numerous attacks across Pakistan, causing devastating casualties. In one of the deadliest incidents, on August 26, a coordinated series of attacks by the BLA left 74 people dead, most of them unarmed civilians. Over the years, these groups have relentlessly targeted military forces, infrastructure, and civilians, leaving hundreds dead and many more injured. The continuing insurgency in Balochistan remains one of the most severe threats to Pakistan’s security and regional stability.

Despite these provocations, Pakistan remains committed to peace and regional cooperation. The nation has faced over 1,000 attacks from Baloch militant groups since 2004, resulting in more than 3,000 casualties. Yet, Pakistan continues to advocate for dialogue, actively participating in regional forums like the SCO. This enduring commitment to diplomacy underscores Pakistan’s preference for engagement over hostility, even in the face of grave security threats.

Kakar’s proposal for unconditional dialogue comes when both nations must reckon with their respective roles in the region’s instability. While Pakistan has made significant strides in curbing cross-border terrorism, it remains concerned by India’s reluctance to address its involvement in Balochistan. Only through open and sincere dialogue can both countries address these grievances, build trust, and move toward a more stable and peaceful South Asia.