ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has said that Pakistan is at “the fork in the road” towards democracy.

In an interview with Al Jazeera TV which aired on Saturday, Bilawal Bhutto discussed a raft of issues and the formidable challenges facing Pakistan.

The Foreign Minister has said that despite many economic and political challenges faced by Pakistan, ranging from climate change to Russian-Ukraine conflicts and domestic issues, he was confident that the people of the country would come together to overcome these ordeals and build a better future.

The foreign minister said that the floods last year that devastated large parts of Pakistan was not only significant for Pakistan but for the entire world.

It had affected 33 million people, besides causing huge financial losses which had far reaching effects upon Pakistan’s economy.

To build back climate resilient Pakistan, he said, they had arranged a conference in Geneva in collaboration with the UN, adding they were making efforts to materialize about $9 to $10 billion pledges made during the conference.

Whereas, large chunks of finances had been arranged through bilateral engagement with the world financial institutions, he informed.

The foreign minister said besides, they were trying to revive International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme.

The foreign minister also rubbished allegations of misuse of funds donated for the areas hit by natural catastrophe in the past by saying that there was misconception about funds which were based upon frivolous accusation as none had been ever proved. They did not hold any weight, he maintained.

About PTI chief Imran Khan’s allegations, he said that he was responsible for his downfall and the history would prove it.

The foreign minister said that the country had faced dictatorships in the past and Imran Khan always supported the dictatorships. It was documented and established fact that he was brought to power through rigged elections.

He said the announcement by the military top brass that the army would not involve in politics and would remain apolitical, had definitely upset the PTI’s supporters.

The citizens were offended on the incidents of May 9 when the PTI supporters attacked GHQ and Corps commander house, he added. He said the elements involved in those incidents would face the legal consequences.

To a question Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said, “We don’t believe the change could come by overnight,” adding the only way was through the change brought about by the democratic forces in the society.

He said change should take place through civilian and political process involving the parliament. Imran Khan had paid less attention to parliament.

“The fate of the country can’t be decided on streets but by the parliament,” he stressed while underlying the need for the civilian and political leadership to strengthen the democratic role, squeezing space for others.

He said the PPP was the party that always challenged dictatorship including the last one of late Musharraf and regretted that not an attack had ever been mounted by any political party in Pakistan as done by the PTI on May 9.

The foreign minister said that he did not regret returning to Pakistan to realize the vision of his mother. “Pakistan is transitioning towards democracy. We are at the fork towards road to democracy,” he added.

To a query, he said after the fall of Kabul, the international community had many expectations from the new rulers.

“Pakistan’s position is in line with the position of the international community,” he said, adding the international community wanted Taliban rulers to do with the women’s rights and education and that the Afghan soil should not be used for terrorist activities.

Foreign Minister Bilawal further stressed that engagement of the global community with the new rulers of Afghanistan was the only solution as it was in the interest of all to have a secure and prosperous Afghanistan that was at peace with itself and with its neighbours.

The world wanted the incumbent rulers to fulfil their commitment with the international community, he said.

The foreign minister, replying to a question, said that Pakistan faced security threats from terrorist outfit TTP as different terrorist incidents occurred in Pakistan after the fall of Kabul.

He reiterated that Pakistan wanted Taliban to act against these terrorists and cited hosting of a recent meeting of Pakistan, China and Afghanistan which focused on threats of terrorism.

About ties with Iran, the foreign minister said that recently a border market was established at Iran-Balochistan border to encourage bilateral trade whereas, they were also working on electricity transmission from Iran to Balochistan.

Bilawal termed the restoration of diplomatic ties between Saudi Arabia and Iran as a ‘positive development’.

“It is positive news not only for the two countries, but for the whole region and for us,” he said, stressing that through engagement all the issues could be resolved paving way for peace dividends.