India's unilateral suspension of IWT could destabilise regional peace: Bilawal
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Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, head of Pakistan's parliamentary delegation to the United Kingdom, has firmly rejected India's allegations against Pakistan, calling them baseless and unsupported by credible evidence, following the recent Pahalgam incident.
After successfully completing their visit to the United States, the Pakistani delegation arrived in the United Kingdom on Sunday to present Pakistan's stance on Indian aggression.
The nine-member group held talks with United Nations representatives, diplomats from member states, and senior US officials in an effort to present Pakistan's narrative on the recent Pakistan-India conflict and advocate for peace in South Asia.
At Westminster, led Pakistan HL Delegation to brief the UK APPG on Pakistan, grateful to Chair @YasminQureshiMP and cross-party MPs for the candid exchange. We shared grave concerns over India's unprovoked aggression, violations of our sovereignty, and the unilateral & illegal… pic.twitter.com/7L6nD2VutK — BilawalBhuttoZardari (@BBhuttoZardari) June 10, 2025
Speaking at a meeting of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Pakistan, hosted by Member of Parliament Yasmin Qureshi at Westminster Palace in London on Tuesday, Bilawal addressed cross-party British parliamentarians, briefing them on Pakistan's stance.
"Indian attacks on civilians, violations of Pakistan's sovereignty, and the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty could lead to dangerous consequences for regional and international peace," Bilawal said. He criticised India's unilateral actions and urged a renewed commitment to peace and dialogue.
"We are committed to a calibrated, responsible response in line with international law, particularly the right to self-defence under the UN Charter," he affirmed. He stressed Pakistan's dedication to restraint and called for a renewed dialogue, focusing on all outstanding issues, notably the Kashmir dispute.
Together with Pakistan's high-level delegation, I called on Speaker @LindsayHoyle_MP at the historic Speaker's House. We underscored the urgent need for peace in South Asia and highlighted the unfinished agenda of the partition, Jammu & Kashmir dispute. Raised serious concerns… pic.twitter.com/jxJomuvotA — BilawalBhuttoZardari (@BBhuttoZardari) June 10, 2025
In his meeting with Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, former foreign minister expressed Pakistan's concerns over India's unwarranted military strikes against civilians and the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty. He urged for the protection of the sanctity of international treaties and warned against the "weaponisation of water."
The delegation emphasised that sustainable peace in South Asia could only be achieved through a just resolution of the Kashmir issue, as outlined by the UN Charter and relevant Security Council resolutions.
The Speaker of the House of Commons acknowledged the longstanding, cordial relations between the UK and Pakistan and reiterated the UK's commitment to peace and stability in the region.
Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Musadik Malik also highlighted the environmental dangers posed by India's suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty. He warned of significant threats to food security and the livelihoods of Pakistan's 240 million people, particularly in its agrarian economy.
The facts need to matter ... pic.twitter.com/8TvYcDaHb3 — SenatorSherryRehman (@sherryrehman) June 10, 2025
Senior leader of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) and member of Pakistan's parliamentary delegation visiting the United Kingdom, Senator Sherry Rehman, also reiterated that Pakistan is committed to promoting peace and reducing tensions in the region.
In an interview with Sky News, Rehman emphasised that while Pakistan seeks peace, it should not be perceived as a sign of weakness. "We do not want regional conflicts to escalate into crises, but our desire for peace should not be mistaken as vulnerability," she said.
She clarified that Pakistan's diplomatic engagements in the United States and the United Kingdom aim to ensure the international community receives an accurate portrayal of the situation.
"The purpose of our diplomatic visits is to keep the facts intact and provide a truthful account of events," she said, highlighting Pakistan's active role in international dialogue.
Read More: Bilawal warns Pakistan-India war threshold at 'historic low'
Addressing the recent tensions with India, Rehman described the conflict as unnecessary and unprovoked, attributing its origins to Indian actions. She also criticised certain Indian media outlets for exacerbating tensions by spreading misinformation and aligning with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's nationalist agenda.
"These media outlets are stoking war rhetoric and propagating false reports," she said.
Senior PPP leader also drew attention to Pakistan's significant counter-terrorism efforts, acknowledging that the country faces one of the highest rates of terrorist attacks globally. She affirmed that Pakistan continues to work tirelessly to combat terrorism and ensure regional stability.
"Pakistan is committed to peace and security, and we are doing everything in our power to counter terrorism and promote stability in the region," she concluded.
Read More: PM assigns Bilawal to lead peace delegation
After ceasefire with India, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif appointed Bilawal to lead a high-level delegation tasked with presenting 'Pakistan's case for peace' on recent Indian aggression to the international community.
The committee aims to engage with global leaders and institutions to raise awareness about India's actions and Pakistan's concerns regarding the Indus Waters Treaty. The government has also planned to send additional delegations to other countries as part of a broader diplomatic outreach.
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