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Bilawal Bhutto Zadari plans to run in Pakistan's 2018 elections

ISLAMABAD, Jan. 28 (UPI) -- Bilawal Bhutto Zadari, the son of the assassinated former prime minister, said he calls on Pakistani authorities to take action against militant groups.

Bhutto, 25, said politicians must realize the threat of armed groups such as the Taliban, and said military action is now needed.

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"Dialogue is always an option but we have to have a position of strength," he said during an interview with the BBC. "How do you talk from a position of strength? You have to beat them on the battlefield. They're fighting us."

Bhutto said he thought the assassination of his mother, former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, in 2007 would motivate politicians, but argued that they have wasted the consensus she had built.

He also said he is planning on running in the 2018 elections, the BBC said.

"Now I think it is time for me or there is the opportunity for me to start taking on more responsibility. But I will be focused more on party politics and working with every level of the party. I don't want to parachute my self in from the top," he said.

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His comments come during a recent escalation of violence.

At least 13 people were killed in a suicide bombing on Jan. 20, and 20 soldiers were also killed in a bombing last week.

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