In Washington, Bilawal Bhutto praises Donald Trump for helping de-escalate tensions with India
Washington/Islamabad, June 5 (UNI) Pakistan Peoples' Party (PPP) Chairman and former Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, who is visiting Washington, has expressed appreciation for the US, especially President Donald Trump, for his 'constructive role in helping de-escalate tensions' with India.
Bilawal has also appreciated the US for 'supporting efforts towards a ceasefire' with India, Dawn reported.
Bilawal, who is leading a high-level delegation to the US, held a series of meetings with US Congress members in Washington, state-run Radio Pakistan reported on Thursday.
Pakistan has launched a broad-based engagement campaign in the United States to present its perspective on the recent spike in tensions with India, and counter New Delhi's growing lobbying presence there. As part of its global outreach, the team will also visit London and Brussels.
Besides Bilawal Bhutto, the team comprises former foreign ministers Hina Rabbani Khar and Khurram Dastgir; Senators Sherry Rehman, Musadik Malik, Faisal Sabzwari and Bushra Anjum Butt; along with senior envoys Jalil Abbas Jilani and Tehmina Janjua.
During Wednesday's discussions at Capitol Hill, the delegation discussed the Kashmir issue, and the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), among other issues.
Meanwhile, members of the US Congress urged 'both countries to demonstrate restraint and prioritise regional peace and stability', Radio Pakistan stated.
They reiterated the "US' support for the people of Pakistan and its commitment to aiding the country's economic progress".
Earlier, Bilawal posted on X that his team met with Congressmen Jack Bergman and Tom Suozzi, who co-chair the Congressional Pakistan Caucus, along with Democratic Representative Ilhan Omar and Republican Party's Ryan Keith Zinke.
Bergman and Suozzi were among a group of lawmakers who visited Pakistan in April and met with Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir, along with Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi.
Bergman has repeatedly voiced support for former prime minister Imran Khan, calling for his release.
He also met with Democratic Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove, Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on South and Central Asia.
Bilawal further met with Republican Senator Jim Banks for a 'candid discussion' on regional peace and security […] and appreciated the 'critical peacemaker role played by President Trump in facilitating the ceasefire understanding, intended as a pathway to broader, sustained peace and dialogue'.
A day ago, the delegation concluded its two-day visit to the United Nations Headquarters in New York, where it met with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, along with elected and permanent members of the UN Security Council.
Another delegation, led by Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Syed Tariq Fatemi, visited Moscow from June 2 to June 4, and met with Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and a senior aide to President Vladimir Putin.
Earlier on Wednesday, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif credited Trump 'for playing a decisive role in ensuring a ceasefire'.
Addressing an event at the US Embassy in Islamabad marking the 249th anniversary of American independence, Sharif said Trump had shown beyond any doubt that 'he is a man for peace … and beneficial business deals'.
He added, 'President Trump is a man against escalation and a man against cold and hot war.'
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