NEW YORK — A high-level Pakistani delegation led by PPP Chairman and former Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari met with Permanent Representatives of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in New York on Tuesday to present Pakistan’s position on the recent escalation with India following the Pahalgam attack.
The delegation, which includes former foreign ministers Hina Rabbani Khar and Khurram Dastgir, senior parliamentarians, and former diplomats such as Jalil Abbas Jilani and Tehmina Janjua, was dispatched to the United Nations for a diplomatic outreach mission. The group also includes serving federal ministers and senators such as Sherry Rehman and Musadik Malik.
Addressing the OIC envoys, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari “categorically rejected” India’s attempt to link Pakistan to the Pahalgam incident, stating there was no credible evidence or investigation to support such claims. He asserted that India had used the incident as a pretext for “unlawful military actions,” including cross-border strikes that targeted civilian areas and infrastructure.
The Pakistani delegation also raised concerns over India’s move to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty, calling it an act of “weaponising water” and a violation of international legal commitments. “We cannot allow this to become a new normal,” Bilawal said, warning of the broader implications for regional peace and stability.
He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to diplomacy, restraint, and peace, urging the restoration of the Indus Waters Treaty, respect for the ceasefire, and a return to comprehensive dialogue — with a resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute as the central issue.
OIC ambassadors expressed appreciation for what they described as a transparent and timely briefing from Pakistan, reiterating their solidarity with Pakistan and the people of Jammu and Kashmir. They also underscored the importance of upholding international law, treaty obligations, and the principles enshrined in the UN Charter.
The delegation also held a separate meeting with Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, President of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for June and Permanent Representative of Guyana. During the meeting, the Pakistani team urged the UNSC to take a proactive role in promoting de-escalation, safeguarding international treaties, and supporting peaceful conflict resolution, especially with regard to the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.
In addition, the delegation briefed representatives of elected UNSC member states including Algeria, Denmark, Greece, Panama, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, Somalia, South Korea, and Guyana. The Pakistani team is now set to continue its diplomatic outreach in Washington, with meetings scheduled with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, lawmakers, and key policy institutions. Visits to London and Brussels will follow.