Pakistan delegation set to begin key diplomatic tour of US, Europe on Sunday

A high-level Pakistani delegation, led by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, is set to leave for the United States and Europe on Sunday to present Pakistan’s perspective on recent hostilities with India, officials confirmed.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif requested the mission. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs held interactive sessions and briefings to prepare the team. They discussed the current Pakistan-India relationship and possible future steps.

The delegation includes Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Sherry Rehman, Hina Rabbani Khar, Khurram Dastagir Khan, Jalil Abbas Jilani, Bushra Anjum Butt, Musaddiq Malik, Faisal Sabzwari, Tehmina Janjua, and Tariq Fatimi.

The group will first travel to New York on Sunday, spending two days there, followed by four days in Washington, D.C. They will then visit London, Brussels, and Paris.

A staff member at the Pakistani consulate in Washington, D.C., told Nukta that the delegation will arrive in the U.S. on June 3. Meetings are planned with White House staffers, members of Congress, the State Department, think tanks, media, and the Pakistani community.

“All the engagements will be finalized by this evening,” the staffer said. “We can’t give out the names yet, but all the engagements will be high-level.”

Musaddiq Malik, federal minister and delegation member, told the media that the team’s first focus is on the U.S. and Europe, later visiting Moscow.

“With a small, dedicated team, we are focusing on visiting key global regions, primarily the United States and Europe, that significantly influence global opinion and policymaking,” Malik said.

“Our goal is to engage directly with thought leaders and decision-makers to contribute to and help shape important conversations at the international level.”

Senator Bushra Anjum Butt told Nuktathat the delegation aims to counter Indian disinformation.

“Indian media has spread so much disinformation during the war about Pakistan, which was even countered by international media,” she said. “We will tell the world that Pakistan is a responsible state, and Pakistan only reacted when India violated the international borders and attacked us, which was against our sovereignty.”

She stressed the need for international allies, especially regarding the Indus Waters Treaty.

“We can’t fight the war alone,” Butt said. “India can’t break the treaty by itself. It’s our water, and when India sees that we have allies on our side, it will build our case. We will have a special focus on the Kashmir issue as well; the world has to realize that Kashmir is part of the long-term solution in the region.”

Butt added they would present evidence of Indian-sponsored terrorism, mainly in Balochistan and other regions.

“The world has to realize that Indian elections are won on an anti-Pakistan narrative,” she said. “Indian aggression towards Pakistan increases near their elections. Indian egos are hurt because of the recent Pakistan win in the war, and they can hit us back.”

Meanwhile, a seven-member Indian delegation led by senior Congress politician Shashi Tharoor is already touring globally to promote India’s side, centered on “Operation Sindoor.”

The Indian team reached New York City on May 26, starting their diplomatic mission at the 9/11 war memorial. They then traveled to Guyana, spent two days there, moved to Panama, and are now heading to Brasília.

The Indian delegation is expected to reach Washington, D.C., on June 3, just as the U.S. Congress resumes after its recess.

Indian officials have been meeting with members of the executive branch, legislators, think tanks, foreign policy experts, and media to promote their version of recent events.