NEW YORK: Pakistan’s high-level parliamentary delegation has briefed the member states of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) at the United Nations on the grave developments in South Asia, following India’s “military aggression” and its accusations against Pakistan in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack.
The former foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari led Pakistani delegation is in New York to present Pakistan’s stance on the recent military escalation with India and to challenge New Delhi’s narrative at the global level.
Addressing the OIC Permanent Representatives, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari categorically rejected India’s attempt to link Pakistan to the Pahalgam incident without any credible investigation or evidence.
Bilawal highlighted that the hasty attribution of blame was used as a pretext for unlawful military actions, including cross-border strikes, which targeted civilians and civilian infrastructure.
The Pakistani delegation expressed grave concern at India’s decision to unilaterally suspend the Indus Waters Treaty which Pakistan considers a blatant act of weaponizing water and a violation of international and treaty obligations.
Bilawal made it plainly clear that Pakistan cannot allow the weaponization of water to become a new normal.
He stressed that due to India’s “belligerent aggression”, the world had become a less safe place, with real and present implications for peace and security in South Asia.
Suspension of Indus Waters Treaty
Bilawal reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to peace, restraint, and diplomacy, and called for the restoration of the Indus Waters Treaty, full respect for the ceasefire, and the resumption of a comprehensive dialogue with India, with the resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute at its core as per the UN Security Council resolutions.
Bilawal Bhutto underlined that OIC has emerged as the moral conscience of the world in these difficult times and thanked the OIC member states for their steadfast support for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
He reiterated that the Jammu and Kashmir dispute remains pivotal to the establishment of lasting peace in South Asia.
The Permanent Representatives of OIC countries expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s transparent and timely briefing and reaffirmed their solidarity with Pakistan and the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
They reiterated their concern over the worsening security situation in South Asia and stressed the importance of upholding the principles of the UN Charter and international law and in this regard, the sanctity of treaties, including the Indus Water Treaty.
The OIC countries welcomed Pakistan’s commitment to dialogue and diplomacy for the resolution of all disputes, including the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the UN Security Council resolutions.
Peace in South Asia
On Monday, Pakistan and China called for advancing peace with responsibility in South Asia through multilateral cooperation and adherence to international law, warning that aggressive posturing and unilateral actions pose serious threats to regional security.
This was agreed during a meeting between China’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Fu Cong, and Pakistan’s high-level parliamentary delegation led by former foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari in New York.
“Both sides agreed that aggressive posturing and unilateral actions threaten peace in the region and must be firmly opposed,” according to a statement.
Pakistan and China expressed a shared commitment to the peaceful resolution of disputes, multilateral cooperation, upholding the principles of the UN Charter, preserving the sanctity of treaties and respecting international law.
ALSO READ: Pakistan Ex-Foreign Minister Urges US to Play Role in Ensuring Dialogue between Pakistan and India
The meeting discussed the evolving security situation in South Asia in the wake of India’s recent aggression and Pakistan’s consistent efforts to uphold peace and stability.
During the meeting, Bilawal expressed heartfelt gratitude on behalf of the people of Pakistan to China for its unequivocal support during the Indian “provocation”.
The Pakistani delegation shared details of India’s attacks on Pakistani territory, its deliberate targeting of civilians, its active involvement in funding and supporting terrorism in Pakistan, and the provocative decision to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty — a move equated to the weaponization of water and a violation of international law.
Both sides agreed that aggressive posturing and unilateral actions threaten peace in the region and must be firmly opposed.
