Bilawal to lead state-level peace delegation abroad at PM Shehbaz's request

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari addressing an event at the CM House in Karachi on October 14, 2024. — Facebook/@Bilawalhouse

ISLAMABAD: Days after a ceasefire following Indian military aggression, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has tasked Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari to lead a high-level delegation to key global capitals to present Pakistan’s stance and push for peace.

Bilawal, whose party is a key ally of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) in the Centre, accepted the responsibility, confirming his promise to represent the country internationally in testing times.

"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," he wrote on X.

Meanwhile, sources told Geo News that Bilawal would visit Europe with a delegation to brief the international community on India’s recent hostilities against Pakistan.

The PM has formed a high-level committee led by Bilawal to spearhead diplomatic outreach, including former federal ministers Khurram Dastgir Khan, Hina Rabbani Khar, and ex-foreign secretary Jalil Abbas Jilani

The delegation will travel to key capitals across the world to present Pakistan’s stance and highlight the implications of India's hostile actions, sources added.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also confirmed the development, saying that a parliamentary delegation would soon visit the United States, the United Kingdom, Brussels, France, and Russia to highlight Pakistan’s stance on the recent conflict.

Pakistan armed forces launched a large-scale retaliatory military action, named "Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos", and targeted several Indian military targets across multiple regions.

The strikes, described by officials as "precise and proportionate", were carried out in response to India's continued aggression across the Line of Control (LoC) and within Pakistan's territory, which New Delhi claimed were aimed at "terrorist targets".

Pakistan downed six Indian fighter jets, including three Rafale, and dozens of drones. After at least 87 hours, the war, provoked by India, ended on May 10 with a ceasefire agreement brokered by the United States.

According to ISPR, a total of 53 individuals, including 13 personnel of the armed forces and 40 civilians, were martyred in Indian strikes during the recent military confrontation.

The military confrontation between the two countries was triggered by last month’s attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) that left 26 tourists dead, with India blaming Pakistan for the attack without offering any evidence.