• No future agreement to hold any value, if IWT disregarded: Butt
• India seeking “immunity to commit aggression”, says Subzwari.
• Dastgir says India neither wants a neutral inquiry nor talks.

LONDON: A high-level Pakistani diplomatic delegation has reached United Kingdom after concluding a series of positive meetings with US Congress members and senators in Washington and New York.

The nine-member delegation led by former foreign minister and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari was involved in more than 50 meetings over a period of five days to present Pakistan’s stance on regional peace and disputes with India and highlight New Delhi’s provocations and aggression against Islamabad. 

The delegation include Hina Rabbani Khar, Senator Sherry Rehman, Dr Musadik Malik, Khurram Dastgir Khan, Jalil Abbas Jilani, Tehmina Janjua, Bushra Anjum Butt and Syed Faisal Subzwari.

The recent conflict between the nuclear-armed countries was triggered by New Delhi after an attack in IIOJK’s Pahalgam on April 22, where gunmen killed at least 26 civilians. India labelled it an act of terrorism orchestrated by Pakistan, a claim denied by leaders in Islamabad. Following this, India attacked Pakistan which led to days-long military engagement between the two neighbouring countries.

Speaking to Geo News, Senator Rehman stated that they held positive meetings with American lawmakers who understood Pakistan’s position.

 “Everyone agreed that weaponisation of water was dangerous,” she said, adding that: “India’s identity is becoming that of a belligerent state.” She asserted that IIOJK has become the largest open-air prison.

Sherry also clarified that the Pakistani delegation was not “chasing” the Indian delegation, pointing towards Pakistani and Indian delegation’s visit to the US at the same time. She said: “Our story is our own story.” 

She further warned that Pakistan would respond if India were to attack, and stressed that “our goal is to promote peace and negotiations”.

Sherry stated that Pakistan has “more complaints against India” and suggested that the Indian delegation’s sole purpose was to defame Pakistan, whereas the delegation went to the US to “tell Pakistan’s story”.

Subzwari, another member of the diplomatic delegation, told Geo News that their tour began at the United Nations, where they presented Pakistan’s case.

“Even though we showed military superiority, we have come to invite peace,” Subzwari stated. He expressed a desire for global powers to convey to India that “two nuclear powers cannot progress in such a dangerous environment.”

He said India is seeking “immunity to commit aggression without proof,” citing the Pahalgam incident after which India attacked civilian infrastructure on Pakistani soil despite calls for evidence.

He said Pakistan desired for the current ceasefire to lead to “permanent peace”. The country’s stance was presented to the US State Department and members of parliament, and their “peace-based stance has largely been well-received,” he said. He also said they had brought a message of peace in the region, which is India’s failure and Pakistan’s success.

‘Life and death’

Meanwhile, Dastgir emphasised that the issue of water is a matter of life and death for Pakistan, and we will not back down from it.