ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has demanded that the international community ensure the restoration and effective implementation of the Indus Waters Treaty.
Foreign Office Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan said that a high-level parliamentary delegation presented Pakistan’s main message “Peace with Responsibility” during its visit to the United Nations in New York, in which the delegation drew the attention of the international community to India’s illegal use of force, violations of the UN Charter and international humanitarian law.
The Foreign Office statement said that a parliamentary delegation led by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari reached Washington where Pakistani Ambassador to the US Rizwan Saeed Sheikh welcomed the delegation. The members of the delegation include Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Dr. Mosaddiq Masood Malik, Chairperson of the Senate Standing Committee on Climate Change and former Minister of Information and Environment Senator Sherry Rehman, Chairperson of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and former Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar, Former Federal Minister for Commerce, Defense and Foreign Affairs Engineer Khurram Dastgir Khan, Former Minister for Maritime Affairs Senator Syed Faisal Ali Sabzwari, Senator Bushra Anjum Butt, Former Foreign Secretary and Caretaker Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani and Former Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua.
The Foreign Office spokesperson said that a high-level parliamentary delegation led by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari completed a two-day visit to the United Nations Headquarters in New York. The delegation met with the UN Secretary-General, the President of the General Assembly, the President of the Security Council, representatives of permanent and non-permanent members, ambassadors of the OIC group, the media, civil society, think tanks and the Pakistani community.
The statement said that the visit was part of Pakistan’s global diplomatic campaign aimed at presenting Pakistan’s position to the world on the growing tensions in the region and threats to global peace through actions such as India’s irresponsible behavior, unprovoked aggression against Pakistan, provocative statements and unilateral suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, which is a lifeline for more than 240 million Pakistanis. The delegation presented the message of “peace with responsibility” to the world. In the meetings, the delegation pointed out India’s illegal use of force, violations of the UN Charter and international humanitarian law, especially targeting the civilian population, women and children, and the massacre of innocents.
The Foreign Office has learnt that the delegation categorically rejected India’s baseless allegations regarding the terrorist attack in occupied Jammu and Kashmir on April 22, for which no evidence was presented. The delegation also warned against the risk of India using the Indus Waters Treaty as a weapon. The delegation reiterated Pakistan’s commitment against terrorism in all its forms, highlighted Pakistan’s key role and sacrifices in global counter-terrorism efforts, and drew the attention of the international community to India’s state-sponsored campaign of terrorism and cross-border killings in Pakistan.
It is being said that the need for cooperation rather than politics was emphasised for an effective fight against terrorism. The delegation highlighted Pakistan’s responsible, peaceful and law-abiding response to Indian provocations and aggression and made it clear that Pakistan wants peace but will defend its sovereignty at all costs. India’s attempt to impose a “new normal” that includes unilateral and arbitrary attacks could have disastrous consequences in the nuclear environment of South Asia, which the international community should strongly resist.
The delegation reiterated that lasting peace in South Asia is possible only through a just and peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, which should be through UN resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.
The international community should respect the sanctity of international law and treaties, ensure the restoration of the Indus Waters Treaty and its effective implementation, and support meaningful and comprehensive dialogue between India and Pakistan to resolve all outstanding issues, especially the core dispute of Kashmir.
Pakistan seeks peaceful and constructive relations with all its neighbours based on equality and mutual respect, but will never accept any aggression, lawlessness or violation of international norms.
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