- Delegation to meet 14 of 15 UNSC members today.
- Will address both UN and Pakistani journalists.
- No plan disclosed to engage US media or watchdogs.
NEW YORK: A delegation led by Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari is set to begin engagements at the United Nations today (June 2), with meetings scheduled with ambassadors from 14 Security Council member states, including all five permanent members, The News reported on Monday.
Bilawal and Senator Sherry Rehman have already arrived in New York, while other members of the delegation are expected to join them on staggered flights.
The delegation includes senior political leaders such as Hina Rabbani Khar, Dr Musadik Malik, Khurram Dastgir Khan, Bushra Anjum Butt, Tehmina Janjua, and Jalil Abbas Jilani.
Its objective is to present Pakistan’s stance on the recent military confrontation with India and to challenge New Delhi’s narrative at the international level.
In addition to meetings with the UN Secretary-General and the president of the UN General Assembly, the Pakistani delegation will meet the ambassadors of the remaining 14 member countries of the 15-member UN Security Council, including the Chinese and Russian UN envoys.
It will also address the United Nations Correspondents Association (UNCA), an international organisation of journalists established at the United Nations for 70 years.
In addition to addressing UN journalists, they will also address Pakistani journalists that evening. Other activities and meetings of the delegation include meetings with ambassadors of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) countries and ambassadors of the Organisation of Non-Aligned Movement.
However, there are no details about meetings with American media and their editorial boards, human rights and peace and security organisations.
Similarly, there is no programme that includes meetings with organisations working against disinformation and for media accuracy to inform them about the disinformation and one-sided propaganda of the Indian media.
Some quarters are also raising the question that most of the meetings of the Pakistani team are with diplomats of countries that already have friendly relations with Pakistan and are convinced of Pakistan’s position. Despite President Trump’s strong statement, it is not yet clear which officials of his administration will meet the Pakistani delegation.
There are reports of a meeting and talks with an American think tank on June 5, while Indian Congress Party leader Shashi Tharoor will be in Washington after visiting Latin American countries. India’s controversial Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri is already visiting Washington.
Pakistan started reaching out to the world after the military confrontation between the two countries was triggered by a terror 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.
Last month, Pakistan’s armed forces launched a large-scale retaliatory military action, named “Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos”, and targeted several Indian military targets across multiple regions.
Pakistan downed six IAF fighter jets, including three Rafale, and dozens of drones. After at least 87 hours, the war between the two nuclear-armed nations 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.
