Rattled with Indus Waters Treaty suspension, Pakistan delegation talks 'peace' in US: ‘Endangers livelihood'
Days after India sent across its stern message against terrorism peddled by Islamabad, Pakistan, copying New Delhi's idea, has sent its delegation to the United Kingdom. The visit follows the Bilawal Bhutto Zardari-led delegation's diplomatic engagements in New York over the recent military conflict with India.
The nine-strong group held talks with the United Nations on Sunday, along with the diplomats from member states, and senior US officials to present Pakistan's narrative on the conflict following the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives.
India has punished Pakistan for the terror attack as it put in abeyance the Indus Waters Treaty. It later attacked and demolished nine terror bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir. Pakistan's armed forces triggered an armed conflict with India by targeting the latter's civilian areas and military installations.
Also read: 'World now knows the truth': Shashi Tharoor-led delegation on Operation Sindoor wraps up US visit
The conflict came to an end after four days, with India attacking Pakistan's strategic air bases and the latter's DGMO urging peace from his Indian counterpart.
Former Pakistani foreign secretary, Jalil Abbas Jilani, a member of the delegation, was quoted as saying by PTI, citing Express Tribune, that Pakistan's message was peace.
"Our message was clear – Pakistan seeks peace," he said.
Jilani said Islamabad sought the resolution of all issues, including the Indus Waters Treaty, through dialogue.
India has maintained that the only dialogue it can hold with Pakistan would be on the topics of terrorism and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
Also read: Delegation led by Shashi Tharoor meets US Vice President JD Vance
Speaking to the media, lawmaker Khurram Dastgir highlighted the regional impact of the water dispute and called for the restoration of the treaty.
"We explained to US officials that India's suspension of the treaty endangers the livelihood of 240 million people and undermines the region's stability,' he said.
Dastgir stressed the water dispute was a matter of survival for Pakistan, asserting the country would not compromise on it.
He claimed the Americans initially assumed the ceasefire brokered by US President Donald Trump required no further involvement. "Our mission was to make them understand that intervention is necessary as India wants neither a neutral inquiry nor talks," Dastgir said.
Also read: India-US trade negotiations hit top gear, American delegation extends Delhi stay
India has rejected Trump's claim that the US brokered the peace.
Senator Sherry Rehman, another member of the group, said the mission was focused on advocating for peace and ensuring the water treaty and Kashmir issue remained on the international agenda.
Several Indians delegations visited a host of countries across the world to apprise them about Pakistan's nefarious support to cross-border terrorism.
With inputs from PTI
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