Pakistan renews call for independent probe into Kashmir attack

Pakistan on Friday renewed its call for an independent investigation into the April attack in Indian-administered Kashmir that brought the two nuclear-armed neighbors close to war.

The demand was made as a high-level Pakistani delegation, led by former Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, concluded a five-day visit to the United States aimed at rallying diplomatic support amid ongoing tensions with India.

Speaking to reporters in Washington D.C., Bilawal said the attack in Pahalgam — which killed 26 tourists — should be investigated by a neutral third party. India has blamed Pakistan for the attack, an allegation Islamabad denies.

Bilawal expressed regret that New Delhi has repeatedly declined the offer of an impartial inquiry.

Meaningful dialogue

Responding to a question from a Nukta correspondent about the potential for de-escalation, he said meaningful dialogue remains the only viable path forward.

He also emphasized the importance of regional cooperation to combat terrorism, including intelligence-sharing between Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence agency (ISI) and India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW).

Bilawal also accused India of backing militant groups in Pakistan’s southwestern province of Balochistan — a claim New Delhi has consistently rejected.

India is saying 'no' to everything, and that’s a dangerous position to take, he said, warning that any future incident could be used to justify military action against Pakistan.

He added that Islamabad must protect its national interests, pointing to India’s unilateral suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty as a cause for concern.

The Pakistani delegation included former foreign ministers Hina Rabbani Khar and Jalil Abbas Jilani, former foreign secretary Tehmina Janjua, former ambassador to the U.S. Sherry Rehman, current ministers Musadik Malik and Khurram Dastgir, as well as lawmakers Faisal Sabzwari and Bushra Anjum.

Thanking Trump

Bilawal also thanked U.S. President Donald Trump for his role in mediating a cease-fire between India and Pakistan during a previous period of heightened tension.

"Unfortunately, India has not given him the credit he deserves for preventing a prolonged war between two nuclear powers," said Petroleum Minister Musadik Malik.

Dastgir, Pakistan’s commerce minister, said the delegation discussed mineral exploration plans with U.S. officials, including Eric Meyer, a senior State Department official, during last month’s mineral summit in Islamabad.

'Not China's proxy'

Malik rejected the notion that Pakistan was acting as a proxy for China in its regional defense policies. "Pakistan has the right to purchase arms from any country. That country happens to be China in this case," he said. "By that logic, should we consider India part of a Russian, Israeli, or French bloc because it uses weapons purchased from them?"

According to Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry, the delegation is scheduled to visit London and Brussels as part of its broader diplomatic outreach.

India has said it carried out “surgical strikes” inside Pakistani territory targeting suspected militants allegedly linked to the April 22 attack in Pahalgam.

While India maintains that Pakistan-based groups were responsible, Islamabad says no credible evidence has been presented at the international level to substantiate those claims.