In the wake of India’s bold military response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack through Operation Sindoor, Pakistan finds itself cornered internationally, scrambling to salvage its image amidst mounting global scrutiny over its deep-rooted terror networks.
On Saturday, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari announced that he had been tasked by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to lead a delegation aiming to present Pakistan’s case for “peace” on the international stage.
“I am honoured to accept this responsibility and remain committed to serving Pakistan in these challenging times,” Bhutto Zardari wrote on Facebook.
The announcement, however, is widely seen as reactive and desperate, coming shortly after India revealed its multi-party diplomatic initiative to brief world leaders on its zero-tolerance policy against terrorism.
India’s All-Party Diplomacy: A Show of National Unity
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju earlier unveiled a lineup of seven All-Party Delegations comprising MPs across political ideologies. The delegations will soon travel to key global capitals, including permanent members of the UN Security Council, to share India’s perspective on Operation Sindoor and cross-border terrorism.
The leaders of these delegations include:
- Shashi Tharoor (Congress)
- Ravi Shankar Prasad (BJP)
- Sanjay Kumar Jha (JDU)
- Baijayant Panda (BJP)
- Kanimozhi Karunanidhi (DMK)
- Supriya Sule (NCP-SP)
- Shrikant Eknath Shinde (Shiv Sena)
“In moments that matter most, Bharat stands united… A powerful reflection of national unity above politics,” Rijiju said on X.
Each delegation is tasked with presenting India’s unified resolve against terrorism and countering misinformation, particularly in light of Pakistan’s retaliatory provocations targeting Indian civilian areas and attempted drone incursions.
Operation Sindoor: A Decisive Turn
Launched on May 7, Operation Sindoor was India’s strategic response to the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians. The Indian military struck nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, eliminating over 100 terrorists affiliated with Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen.
Pakistan retaliated with cross-border shelling and drone attacks, prompting India to escalate with coordinated airstrikes on 11 Pakistani airbases, crippling key radar systems, airfields, and communication centres.
Pakistan’s Diplomatic Dilemma
Observers note that Bilawal Bhutto’s delegation will face significant skepticism, as Pakistan’s credibility remains eroded by its failure to act against terror outfits operating freely on its soil.
While India takes a cohesive, bipartisan message of national resolve to the world, Pakistan appears to be on the defensive, struggling to justify its retaliatory attacks and failure to control the terror networks within its borders.