ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has decided to send a high-level diplomatic delegation to important world capitals to expose ‘Indian propaganda’ against Islamabad, Pakistani state media reported on Sunday, days after a ceasefire deal was reached with New Delhi.
New Delhi accused Pakistan of backing an attack in Indian-administered Kashmir’s Pahalgam town that killed 26 tourists, mostly Hindus, on April 22. Islamabad has denied complicity and called for a credible, international probe into the assault.
Tensions over the attack last week led the nuclear-armed neighbors into a military conflict, the worst between them in decades, with both countries attacking each other with drones, missiles and artillery and killing around 70 people on both sides.
The conflict began when India struck what it said were “terrorist camps” in multiple Pakistan cities on May 7, alarming world powers that the standoff could spiral into a full-blown war. US President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire on May 10, which has since held.
“The delegation will visit London, Washington, Paris and Brussels to highlight India’s disinformation campaign and its attempts to destabilize regional peace,” the Radio Pakistan broadcaster said, adding Sharif has tasked ex-foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari with leading the body.
“It will also underscore Pakistan’s sincere efforts for peace and stability in the region.”
Members of the high-level body include Dr. Musadik Malik, Khurram Dastgir, Senator Sherry Rehman, Hina Rabbani Khar, Faisal Subzwari, Tehmina Janjua and Jalil Abbas Jilani.
Bitter rivals India and Pakistan have fought three wars, including two over the disputed region of Kashmir, since gaining independence from British rule in 1947. Both claim the Himalayan territory in its entirety but rule it in part.
India has long battled an insurgency on the side it rules by armed separatists fighting for independence or a merger with Pakistan. New Delhi accuses Pakistan of backing the militants, Islamabad says it only offers political and diplomatic support to the Kashmiris.
The region has long been described as the “nuclear flashpoint” of South Asia and last week prompted President Trump to offer Washington’s mediation to resolve the issue.
Separately, Pakistan’s Deputy PM Ishaq Dar will travel to China on Monday for a two day visit to discuss “evolving regional situation,” Pakistan’s foreign ministry said.
“The two sides will also review the entire spectrum of Pakistan-China bilateral relations and exchange views on regional and global developments of mutual interest,” it said in a statement.
Dar told parliament on May 7, hours after aerial combat between the two sides, that Islamabad used Chinese jets against India, with Beijing’s ambassador called to his office over the deployment.
“At 4am in the morning, the whole Chinese team, led by their ambassador, was present at the foreign office,” Dar told the parliament.
“We apprised them about all the developments taken place until that time.”
US President Donald Trump announced a surprise truce on May 10, which appears to be holding over a week later.
While Islamabad stated earlier this week that the ceasefire would last until Sunday, the Indian army said there was no expiry date to the agreement.
