• Set to visit Turkiye, Iran, Azerbaijan, Tajikistan from May 25 to 30
• Bilawal meets premier to discuss Islamabad’s diplomatic messaging abroad

ISLAMABAD: Following a ceasefire with India after a brief military confrontation, Pakistan has launched a diplomatic campaign to counter Indian propaganda and to reaffirm its narrative on the international stage.

According to the Foreign Office, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will visit Turkiye, Iran, Azerbaijan and Tajikistan from May 25 to 30 to hold “wide-ranging discussions with the nations while acknowledging their support during Pakistan’s recent escalation with India”.

The visit comes a fortnight after the US-brokered ceasefire. During the conflict, the Iranian foreign minister visited both nations to act as a mediator.

PM Shehbaz will have “wide-ranging discussions” with the leaders of the four countries on issues, including bilateral relations and matters of regional and international importance.

He will also have the opportunity to “express the deepest appreciation and acknowledgement for the support extended to Pakistan by the friendly countries during the recent crisis with India”, the Foreign Office said.

“The prime minister will also be attending the International Conference on Glaciers in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, from May 29-30,” the statement added.

Earlier this week, the premier decided to send a “high-level diplomatic delegation to important world capitals to expose Indian propaganda” in the aftermath of the recent military escalation with India, state-run Radio Pakistan reported.

“In a telephonic conversation with Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, the prime minister has entrusted the leadership of the delegation to him,” the report said.

The delegation comprises Dr Musadik Malik, Engineer Khurram Dastgir, Senator Sherry Rehman, Hina Rabbani Khar, Faisal Subzwari, Tehmina Janjua and Jalil Abbas Jilani, it added.

“The delegation will visit London, Washington, Paris and Brussels to highlight India’s disinformation campaign and its attempts to destabilise regional peace,” the report added.

Bilawal calls on PM

Meanwhile, Mr Bhutto-Zardari called on Prime Minister Shehbaz on Friday to seek guidance to highlight Pakistan’s position in important world capitals and put Indian aggression and provocative agenda before the global community.

Senator Sherry Rehman and former federal minister Hina Rabbani Khar were also accompanying the PPP chairman during the meeting, the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement.

The PPP chairman thanked the prime minister for trusting him with this national diplomatic task and entrusting him with the leadership of the Pakistani delegation.

“I hope that under your leadership, this delegation will present Pakistan’s position and narrative to the world in a comprehensive and effective manner,” the prime minister said.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Federal Minister for Climate Change Musadik Malik, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah, and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi.

Published in Dawn, May 24th, 2025