KARACHI: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday tasked former foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari with leading Pakistan’s diplomatic outreach to major international capitals to present the country’s perspective on the recent military conflict with India, as hostilities persist despite a US-brokered ceasefire following four days of cross-border strikes.
The move follows an April 22 gun attack in Indian-administered Kashmir that killed 26 tourists. India blamed Pakistan for the assault, a claim Islamabad denied while calling for an international investigation.
The incident triggered retaliatory military action by India across the Line of Control in Kashmir and in mainland Pakistan, followed by Islamabad’s reprisal strikes. US President Donald Trump later announced a ceasefire on May 10, with his administration saying the countries had agreed to begin talks at a neutral venue to resolve outstanding disputes.
However, India has pushed back against the understanding, with New Delhi announcing to dispatch a delegation to key world capitals earlier on Saturday. Pakistan’s decision to do the same came later in the day.
“The prime minister has decided to send a diplomatic delegation to expose Indian propaganda and nefarious conspiracies at the international level,” the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement, adding that Sharif had contacted Bhutto-Zardari in this regard.
“The delegation will expose India’s propaganda and efforts to destabilize regional peace in London, Washington, Paris and Brussels,” it added.
Addressing a ceremony in Islamabad a day earlier, Sharif said India and Pakistan had fought several wars in the past, though these conflicts had not helped them resolve their disputes.
He urged India to begin dialogue to address mutual concerns and ensure peaceful coexistence.
Bhutto-Zardari also confirmed the assignment in a post on social media platform X.
“I was contacted earlier today by Prime Minister @CMShehbaz, who requested that I lead a delegation to present Pakistan’s case for peace on the international stage,” he wrote. “I am honored to accept this responsibility and remain committed to serving Pakistan in these challenging times.”
The delegation aims to lobby officials and diplomats on Pakistan’s narrative.
Besides Bhutto-Zardari, the team includes Musadik Malik, Khurram Dastgir Khan, Sherry Rehman, Hina Rabbani Khar, Faisal Subzwari and former diplomats Tehmina Janjua and Jalil Abbas Jilani.
