Latest news with #BhuttoZardari
Business Recorder
an hour ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Pak delegation interacts with Chatham House
LONDON: A high-level Pakistani parliamentary delegation, led by former Foreign minister and Chairman Pakistan People Party Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, engaged with eminent members of the British think tank, academia, and policymaking community at the prestigious Chatham House, one of the UK's leading think tanks focused on foreign and security policy issues. The closed-door discussion was held under the 'Chatham House Rules,' which is used around the world to encourage inclusive and open dialogue in meetings. Bhutto Zardari and other delegation members conveyed Pakistan's perspective on the recent escalation in South Asia while expressing serious concern about India's unprovoked military aggression that resulted in civilian casualties and posed a significant threat to regional stability. They underscored that India's actions constituted a clear violation of Pakistan's sovereignty, international law, and the United Nations Charter. The Pakistan delegation said that Pakistan's armed forces, with the full support of the people of Pakistan, had given a befitting response to India, demonstrating Pakistan's resolve to defend its sovereignty, and thwarting India's ambitions to set any new so-called 'normal' in the region. Bhutto Zardari strongly denounced India's unilateral and illegal suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty. He warned that the weaponisation of water undermines international norms and sets a perilous precedent. He urged the international community to take notice of this alarming development and hold India to account for its actions. The delegation noted that the pending resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute remains the principal stumbling block to lasting peace and stability in the region. They urged the international community to support meaningful dialogue and ensure respect for international commitments and human rights. The other members of the delegation include Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, Dr Musadik Masood Malik; Chairperson, Senate Standing Committee on Climate Change and Environmental Coordination and former Minister for Information and Climate Change, Senator Sherry Rehman; Chairperson, National Assembly Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and former Foreign Minister, Hina Rabbani Khar; former Minister for Commerce, Defence and Foreign Affairs, Engineer Khurram Dastgir Khan; MQM's Parliamentary Leader in the Senate and former Minister for Maritime Affairs, Senator Syed Faisal Ali Subzwari, Senator Bushra Anjum Butt, former Foreign secretaries, Ambassador Jalil Abbas Jilani and Ambassador Tehmina Janjua. Pakistan's High Commissioner to the UK Dr Mohammad Faisal was also present during the round table conference. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
4 days ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Bilawal Bhutto warns of escalating water disputes with India, calls for diplomatic engagement
Former foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, leading Pakistan's high-level diplomatic delegation, issued a stern warning regarding India's water policies, stating they could force future generations into conflict. Speaking at the Middle East Institute in Thursday, he emphasized that any future war might not allow time for international mediation, referencing former U.S. President Donald Trump's past interventions. Bhutto Zardari criticised India's actions concerning the Indus Waters Treaty, accusing New Delhi of infringing upon the water rights of Pakistan's 240 million citizens. He highlighted that such provocations are pushing the region toward a potential water crisis. Addressing the Kashmir issue, he noted that while India previously labeled it an internal matter, international perspectives have shifted, recognizing it as a global dispute. He pointed out that even within India, there's growing acknowledgment of Kashmir as a bilateral issue. During his visit, Bhutto Zardari and the Pakistani delegation met with several U.S. Congress members, including Democrats Tom Suozzi and Ilhan Omar, and Republican Jack Bergman. These discussions centered on recent Indo-Pak tensions, violations of the Indus Waters Treaty, and Pakistan's stance on Kashmir. Delegation members, including Sherry Rehman and Musadik Malik, also engaged with U.S. senators to highlight concerns over India's water policies. Bhutto Zardari reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to peace, expressing readiness for dialogue with India. However, he cautioned that continued refusal from India to engage in discussions would only exacerbate existing issues. He also accused India of interfering in Balochistan and supporting banned groups like the BLA and TTP. In a pointed remark, he stated, 'This time, we downed six of their aircraft; next time, they might not have an air force left.' He urged India's allies to counsel New Delhi towards peaceful resolutions, emphasizing that without addressing the Kashmir conflict, regional peace remains unattainable.
Economic Times
18-05-2025
- Politics
- Economic Times
Copy-paste diplomacy? Pakistan to send its "peace" delegation on global stage after India's all-party outreach on terrorism
ANI Troubled by India's diplomatic outreach, Pakistan to send its "peace" delegation on global stage In the wake of India's Operation Sindoor, which has drawn international attention to Islamabad's support for terrorism, Pakistan is scrambling to salvage its global image. Attempting to mirror New Delhi's recent diplomatic moves, Pakistan has now announced plans to send a delegation abroad to present its case for 'peace,' news agency ANI reported. The move comes after India constituted seven multi-party delegations to brief global leaders on its counter-terror operation and the country's united stance against cross-border terrorism. According to ANI, Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said on Saturday that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had asked him to lead a peace delegation on behalf of Pakistan. 'I was contacted earlier today by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who requested that I lead a delegation to present Pakistan's case for peace on the international stage. I am honoured to accept this responsibility and remain committed to serving Pakistan in these challenging times,' Bhutto Zardari said in a Facebook post. ANI noted that Pakistan's move is being widely seen as a desperate attempt to repair its tarnished international reputation, especially in light of accusations linking it to decades of sponsoring terrorism in the region. Bhutto Zardari's delegation is likely to face diplomatic headwinds, given the credibility challenges Pakistan faces, particularly after its retaliatory actions following India's Operation Sindoor—India's military response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that targeted nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Earlier on Saturday, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju announced that seven Indian all-party delegations will travel to key global capitals, including members of the United Nations Security Council. These delegations aim to present a united front against terrorism and share details of Operation delegations will be led by Shashi Tharoor (Congress), Ravi Shankar Prasad (BJP), Sanjay Kumar Jha (JDU), Baijayant Panda (BJP), Kanimozhi Karunanidhi (DMK), Supriya Sule (NCP-SP), and Shrikant Eknath Shinde (Shiv Sena).'In moments that matter most, Bharat stands united. Seven All-Party Delegations will soon visit key partner nations, carrying our shared message of zero tolerance to terrorism. A powerful reflection of national unity above politics, beyond differences,' Rijiju said in a post on to ANI, each delegation comprises Members of Parliament across party lines, senior politicians, and diplomats, showcasing India's political consensus on combating Sindoor, launched on May 7, reportedly targeted infrastructure linked to terror outfits like Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen, resulting in the elimination of over 100 terrorists, according to ANI. In response, Pakistan reportedly launched retaliatory shelling and attempted drone strikes, to which India responded with targeted attacks on Pakistani military infrastructure.
The Hindu
18-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Pakistan to send diplomatic delegation abroad to counter India's global outreach
Hours after India decided to send its delegations to key partner countries to put across its resolve to tackle terrorism against the backdrop of Operation Sindoor, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced that he would send a diplomatic team to important world capitals to present his country's stance. The decision was made by Mr. Sharif on Saturday (May 17, 2025) after a telephone conversation with former Foreign Minister and head of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP), Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, according to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO). Pakistan's decision to send its delegation came hours after India announced that it would send seven all-party delegations to key partner countries, including members of the UN Security Council, later this month, to convey India's message of zero tolerance against terrorism following the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor. Mr. Shehbaz 'decided to send a high-level diplomatic delegation to important world capitals to expose Indian propaganda', the state-run Radio Pakistan reported. He has entrusted the leadership of the delegation to Mr. Bhutto Zardari. 'I was contacted earlier today by Prime Minister [Shehbaz Sharif], who requested that I lead a delegation to present Pakistan's case for peace on the international stage. I am honoured to accept this responsibility and remain committed to serving Pakistan in these challenging times,' Mr. Bhutto Zardari posted on social media platform X on Saturday (May 17, 2025). Apart from Mr. Bhutto Zardari, the delegation will include Energy Minister Musadik Malik, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leader Khurram Dastgir Khan, Senator Sherry Rehman, former Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar, Muttahida Qaumi Movement lawmaker Faisal Subzwari, and former Foreign Secretaries Tehmina Janjua and Jalil Abbas Jilani. The delegation will also 'underscore Pakistan's sincere efforts for peace and stability in the region,' according to the PMO. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said the delegation would soon visit the United States, the U.K., Brussels, France, and Russia to highlight Pakistan's stance on the recent conflict. India and Pakistan reached an understanding on May 10 to end the conflict after four days of intense cross-border drone and missile strikes.
Sky News
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Sky News
India shuts airspace to Pakistani airlines as US urges nuclear-armed neighbours to 'de-escalate'
India and Pakistan have been urged by America's top diplomat to work together to "de-escalate" rising tensions over Kashmir. It comes just days after 26 men, mostly tourists, were shot dead by gunmen in the India-controlled part of the disputed region, which the nuclear-armed neighbours both claim as their own. New Delhi has blamed Pakistan for the suspected militant attack near the resort town of Pahalgam on 22 April. India claims it has identified the three attackers involved, including two Pakistan nationals. It says they are "terrorists" who are waging a violent revolt on the Muslim-majority in Kashmir. Islamabad has denied any role and called for a neutral investigation. US secretary of state Marco Rubio has spoken separately to Indian foreign minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The US state department said Mr Rubio expressed support to India in combating extremism and also urged Pakistan to cooperate in investigating the attack. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), which is part of the ruling coalition, told Sky News' The World with Yalda Hakim: "As far as India's accusations are concerned, it would be helpful if India was to provide specific, concrete evidence with Pakistan and with the international community." Mr Bhutto Zardari, a former foreign minister, warned the current situation could "turn into anything from a limited skirmish and attack between our air forces or any other wings of our armed forces, or it could turn into a full-scale war". Early on Wednesday, Pakistan said it had "credible intelligence" that India intends to carry out military action against it in the "next 24-36 hours on the pretext of baseless and concocted allegations of involvement in the Pahalgam incident". Also on Wednesday, the Indian government said it closed its airspace to Pakistani airlines - days after Pakistan banned Indian airlines from flying over its territory. Kashmir attack: What happened? Indian and Pakistani troops have exchanged small-arms fire over the past six nights, which New Delhi says was initiated by the Pakistani side across their 460-mile de facto border running through Kashmir. No casualties were reported, and the Pakistan military has not responded to the claims. Pakistan 'well capable of responding to any Indian aggression' Mr Bhutto Zardari, whose mother, former Pakistan prime minister Benazir Bhutto was assassinated in 2007, said his country was "bracing for any such action where Pakistan is at the ready to respond". He told Yalda Hakim: "I don't want to go into theoreticals other than to say from our air force to our armed forces to our navy, Pakistan is well capable of responding to any and all forms of Indian aggression." He also said that "our two countries have gone to war before. It is our hope that this does not happen, that better sense prevails, that the international community is engaging with both sides, but forcefully engages with both sides to ensure that there's no escalation". 0:36 Of the Rubio talks, Mr Sharif's office said in a statement he told the US secretary of state he "categorically rejected Indian attempts to link Pakistan to the incident". The PM called for a transparent, credible and neutral investigation and urged the US to press India to "dial down the rhetoric and act responsibly". Since the attack, the neighbours have announced a number of measures against each other, including India suspending the Indus Water Treaty. It is an agreement for the distribution and use of waters from the Indus River and its tributaries, which feed 80% of Pakistan's irrigated agriculture and its hydropower.
