Latest news with #PakistanUN
Express Tribune
18-06-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Pakistan urges global action against hate
Pakistan's Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, speaks at the UN Security Council meeting on Israel-Iran conflict on June 13, 2025. Courtesy: X@PakistanUN_NY Pakistan has called for "urgent and collective response" to the rise in hate speech, disinformation and violent extremism, saying such narratives fracture societies and endanger peace and stability. "All of this is targeting people of different faiths, including Muslims, and also individuals based on race, gender, and nationality," Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the UN, told a high-level event marking International Day for Countering Hate Speech. He said that Monday's meeting served as a reminder of "our shared responsibility to counter intolerance, uphold dignity, and safeguard pluralism."
Express Tribune
08-06-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Pakistan delegation visits UK after New York talks on India conflict
Listen to article A high-level Pakistani delegation led by former foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has arrived in the United Kingdom following what officials described as "successful" diplomatic engagements in New York over last month's military standoff with India. 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 India-Pakistan conflict and advocate for peace in South Asia. Wrapped up a pivotal peace mission leading Pakistan's high-level delegation in New York @PakistanUN_NY @PakinNY and Washington DC @PakinUSA. Grateful to Team Pakistan, your dedication was critical to our success. We stood for dialogue, dignity, and a just future. Truth and… — BilawalBhuttoZardari (@BBhuttoZardari) June 7, 2025 The latest military escalation between the India and Pakistan was triggered by an attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) on April 22, when 26 civilians were killed in Pahalgam. India blamed Pakistan for orchestrating the attack, calling it terrorism—an accusation strongly denied by Islamabad. The claim led to Indian military strikes inside Pakistan, sparking days of intense cross-border hostilities between the two neighbours. READ MORE: Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos: Pakistan counters India's Operation Sindoor 'Our message was clear – Pakistan seeks peace and wants all issues, including the Kashmir dispute and the Indus Waters Treaty, resolved through dialogue,' former foreign secretary Jalil Abbas Jilani, a member of the delegation, said in London. Speaking to a local news channel, lawmaker Khurram Dastgir stressed the regional impact of the water dispute and called for the restoration of the 1960 World Bank-mediated treaty, which India suspended in April. 'We explained to US officials that India's suspension of the treaty endangers the livelihood of 240 million people and undermines the region's stability,' he said. Dastgir stressed that the water dispute is a matter of survival for Pakistan, asserting the country would not compromise on it. He pointed out that the Americans initially assumed the ceasefire brokered by US President Donald Trump required no further involvement. "Our mission was to make them understand that intervention is necessary as India wants neither a neutral inquiry nor talks," Dastgir said. Senator Sherry Rehman, another member of the group, said the focus of the mission was to advocate for peace and ensure the water treaty and Kashmir issue remain on the international agenda. In the UK, the delegation is expected to meet senior British officials to highlight Pakistan's stance on the conflict and its broader implications. British foreign secretary David Lammy recently visited both Islamabad and New Delhi following the ceasefire. 'We want stability, but recognise the fragility of the situation, particularly in the context of terrorism,' Lammy said, referring to concerns over security in the region. He did not disclose details of discussions with Indian leaders. Also read: South Asia at brink over Kashmir and Indus Water Treaty, Bilawal warns US lawmakers Islamabad maintains that New Delhi is denying Kashmiris their right to self-determination and has urged India to implement UN Security Council resolutions. India, in turn, accuses Pakistan of supporting armed militants in the region – a charge Pakistan denies. Earlier, Bilawal urged Donald Trump to mediate efforts to ease escalating tensions between Pakistan and India. In an interview with AFP, the former foreign minister called on Washington to push New Delhi towards comprehensive talks with Islamabad. While noting Pakistan's willingness to discuss terrorism, Bilawal said the Kashmir dispute must remain central to any meaningful dialogue. Former Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari who is leading a multi-party delegation to the US tells AFP in an interview that India's so-called 'new normal' is very dangerous for the region and the world because by removing the onus of providing proof the Indians have sharply… — omar r quraishi (@omar_quraishi) June 6, 2025 Read more: India laying ground for 'first nuclear water war', says Bilawal He cautioned against India's use of terrorism as a pretext for military escalation, warning that such actions threaten regional stability and endanger the lives of over 1.7 billion people in South Asia. Speaking separately to Chinese media, Bilawal accused India of undermining peace through unilateral actions and cross-border aggression. He also encouraged the Pakistani diaspora in the US to unite in promoting peace and contributing to mutual progress.
Express Tribune
02-06-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Pakistan, China reaffirm commitment to peace in South Asia
Permanent Representative of China to the United Nations Fu Cong calls on high-level parliamentary delegation led by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on June 2, 2025. Photo: X/PakistanUN_NY Listen to article Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, leading a high-level delegation, met with Ambassador Fu Cong, the Permanent Representative of China to the United Nations, to discuss the evolving security situation in South Asia, particularly in the wake of India's recent aggressive actions. The meeting on Monday focused on Pakistan's efforts to maintain peace and stability in the region amidst India's belligerent posture. Bilawal expressed heartfelt gratitude from the people of Pakistan for China's unwavering support during India's provocations. He briefed the Chinese delegation on the developments following the April 22 Pahalgam attack, highlighting Pakistan's responsible and restrained response in contrast to India's aggressive actions. "It is regrettable that India rejected Pakistan's offer for an independent, impartial, and transparent investigation," Bilawal said. پاکستان اور چین کا جنوبی ایشیا میں ذمہ دارانہ امن کے فروغ اور کثیر الجہتی تعاون پر زور اقوام متحدہ، 2 جون 2025 — اقوام متحدہ میں عوامی جمہوریہ چین کے مستقل مندوب، سفیر فو کانگ، نے پاکستان پیپلز پارٹی کے چیئرمین اور سابق وزیر خارجہ جناب بلاول بھٹو زرداری کی سربراہی میں اقوام… — PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) June 2, 2025 He reiterated that the resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute is crucial for lasting peace in South Asia and urged China to play an active role in resolving the issue through multilateral cooperation, in line with United Nations Security Council resolutions. The delegation also shared details of India's arbitrary attacks on Pakistani territory, the deliberate targeting of civilians, its involvement in funding and supporting terrorism in Pakistan, and the provocative suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty — a move Bilawal described as the "weaponisation of water" and a clear violation of international law. Both Pakistan and China agreed that unilateral and aggressive actions pose a serious threat to regional peace and must be firmly opposed. Pakistan's Delegation in a meeting with China's PR to the UN, Amb. Fu Cong, shared our post war perspective. I condemned India's reckless actions, including its weaponization of water, and reaffirmed that IIOJK remains an unresolved dispute and a fault line for regional peace.… — BilawalBhuttoZardari (@BBhuttoZardari) June 2, 2025 The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to resolving disputes peacefully, adhering to the principles of the UN Charter, respecting international law, and preserving the sanctity of treaties. Bilawal expressed his thoughts on social media after the talks, stating, "I condemned India's reckless actions, including its weaponisation of water, and reaffirmed that IIOJK remains an unresolved dispute and a fault line for regional peace. He reiterated Pakistan's commitment to the ceasefire, regional stability, and a peaceful resolution in accordance with the UN Charter. The international community must reject India's dangerous 'new normal' of aggression." Together with Pakistan delegation met with the Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the UN to convey Pakistan's principled stance in the wake of India's unprovoked aggression. Highlighted Pakistan's responsible and measured approach, and underscored the… — BilawalBhuttoZardari (@BBhuttoZardari) June 2, 2025 Later, the Pakistani delegation met with the Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the United Nations and conveyed Pakistan's principled stance in the wake of India's unprovoked aggression. Bilawal highlighted Pakistan's responsible and measured approach and underscored the imperative of a lasting ceasefire, while also drawing attention to India's dangerous weaponisation of water. He further reiterated Pakistan's call for comprehensive dialogue to resolve the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions. Bilawal urged Russia to support efforts for regional stability and a rules-based international order anchored in the UN Charter. Held a substantive exchange together with Pakistan Delegation with Ambassadors of the UN Security Council's elected members (E10), conveying Pakistan's principled and responsible stance in the face of India's escalating provocations. Reaffirmed our abiding commitment to… — BilawalBhuttoZardari (@BBhuttoZardari) June 2, 2025 The Pakistani delegation also held a substantive exchange with ambassadors of the UN Security Council's elected members (E10). During the meeting, Bilawal conveyed Pakistan's principled and responsible stance in the face of India's escalating provocations. He reaffirmed Pakistan's abiding commitment to restraint, diplomacy, dialogue, and a rules-based international order. He further underscored the dangers posed by India's weaponisation of water in violation of the Indus Waters Treaty, and reiterated the need to resolve the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in line with Security Council resolutions. "Pakistan unequivocally condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, and remains a victim of terrorism that is planned and sponsored from beyond its borders. While Pakistan does not seek conflict, it stands fully prepared to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity. South Asia cannot afford another crisis," said Bilawal.
