Bilawal-led delegation to begin meetings at UN today

NEW YORK: A delegation led by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will begin its meetings and activities at the United Nations from today (June 2). It will meet with ambassadors of 14 member countries of the Security Council, including the five permanent members.

Bilawal Bhutto and Sherry Rehman have already arrived in New York, while the remaining members are arriving in New York on different flights.

The delegation, comprising senior political figures including Hina Rabbani Khar, Dr Musadik Malik, Khurram Dastgir Khan, Bushra Anjum Butt, Sherry Rehman, Tehmina Janjua and Jalil Abbas Jilani, aims to present Pakistan s perspective on the recent military confrontation with India and counter New Delhi s narrative on the conflict.

The Pakistani delegation will begin its meetings at the United Nations today (Monday). In addition to meetings with the UN Secretary-General and the President of the UN General Assembly, it will meet with the ambassadors of the remaining 14 member countries of the 15-member UN Security Council. It will also address the United Nations Correspondents Association (UNCA), an international organization 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 Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) countries and ambassadors of the Organization of Non-Aligned Movement. However, there are no details about meetings with American media and their editorial boards, human rights and peace and security organizations.

Similarly, there is no program that includes meetings with organizations 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 Masri is already visiting Washington.