On Sunday afternoon, a high-level Pakistani diplomatic delegation led by former Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari returned from its five-day mission in Washington and New York that featured more than 50 high-level meetings to raise awareness of Pakistan’s commitment to regional peace amid increasing tensions with India, and to advocate for support on water rights and Kashmir issues from international bodies. Their visit can be followed on various media sites (dunyanews.tv; geo.tv; thenews.com.pk); dunyanews.tv for updates
U.S. Tour Proves “Successful and Constructive”
On their U.S. stopover, the delegation met with various officials including Senator Chris Van Hollen (D), Congressmember Jim Banks (R), and Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D). Lawmakers expressed support for Pakistan’s economic development while raising their concern over India’s behavior, according to geo.tv + 1 and dawn.com reports.
Senator Sherry Rehman described the discussions as “very positive”, noting U.S. lawmakers found them relevant with regards to Pakistan’s depiction of India as a belligerent state with “weaponised water use”.
(asianews.network; news.com.pk and geo.tv all provide more details).
Khurram Dastgir, a member of Pakistan’s delegation to Washington D.C., told Geo News that further diplomatic intervention by both sides remains essential, dispelling assumptions that the Trump-mediated ceasefire made any further engagement unnecessary. He stated that Pakistan aims to ensure “two nuclear powers cannot proceed in such an unstable environment.”
dawn.com +7* (Sources).
Arrival in London: Next Phase Begins
On arrival, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif charged his delegation–comprised of former diplomats and senators like Hina Rabbani Khar, Musadik Malik, Jalil Abbas Jilani, Tehmina Janjua, Bushra Anjum Butt and Syed Faisal Subzwari–with spreading regional peace through advocacy. Arabnews.com +12, Geo.tv +12 and thenews.com.pk +12.
Jilani engaged with United Nations officials and Security Council members during his earlier U.S. visit, and is anticipated to do the same in Europe.
Faisal Subzwari has advocated that global powers must firmly communicate to India that two neighbouring nuclear states cannot progress under such hazardous circumstances. He suggested this via several sources such as dunyanews.tv, dawn.com, geo.tv etc – for an overview on priorities and messages see here, here, here and here
Pakistan reiterated it remains open to peace talks and underscored a ceasefire leading to permanent peace. Arab News.pk +4 thenews.com.pk (+4) Geo TV News Service.
Indian unilateral actions threaten the integrity of Indus Waters Treaty: If India disregarded today, no future agreement would have any value.” Water weaponisation was seen by both U.S. lawmakers and Pakistani officials alike as dangerous.
Pakistan called on global powers to intervene now, warning India’s aggressive actions could set off further regional strife.
Regional and International Implications Pakistan has embarked on this diplomatic tour as part of a wider strategy to counter what it views as Indian lobbying efforts following the April 22 Pahalgam attack which claimed 26 civilian lives and has called for transparent investigations of this incident and asserts that India had no evidence to prove their charges of responsibility; consequently any retaliatory strikes on civilian infrastructure was unwarranted and unwarranted by Islamabad. *Sources include arabnews.com + 2 thenewscom.pk +2 Geo TV +2.
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The campaign also seeks to influence narratives at the UN and in global media, in an attempt to lessen diplomatic fallout for Islamabad in terms of finance and security spheres. Dawn reported concerns regarding renewed scrutiny of Pakistan’s Financial Action Task Force status (fatf status). @ Dawncom
Look Ahead In London, the delegation is scheduled to meet senior U.K. officials and parliamentarians. European talks are anticipated in Brussels with engagements planned there. Their efforts will focus on encouraging global powers to press India for dialogue as well as adhering to international legal standards regarding Indus Waters Treaty and Kashmir issues.
Islamabad must now determine whether this diplomatic push will generate enough international pressure against India to compel European capitals to back U.S. reservations regarding potential renewed aggression or back Pakistan’s peace-oriented narrative before further hostilities emerge.
Pakistan’s diplomatic mission, after an apparently productive U.S. tour, is turning its sights on Europe with a clear message in mind: regional peace depends on global attention being paid to Kashmir, water security and treaty integrity. Their effectiveness will depend not only on relaying their concerns to capitals still considering geopolitical complexities and long-standing alliances;