ISLAMABAD: With border tension rising once again, Pakistan is dispatching a high-level diplomatic mission to the United States on June 2, hoping to ease the pressure building along the Line of Control (LoC) and avoid another full-blown confrontation with India.
Sources in Islamabad confirmed that the delegation will first stop in New York for meetings at the United Nations before heading to Washington, D.C., where key engagements with American lawmakers and think tank officials are scheduled. Though no official itinerary has been made public, insiders say the purpose is simple — prevent the situation from sliding out of control.
“We’ve seen this story before,” said a senior government official, requesting anonymity. “It starts with a skirmish, then accusations fly. Before long, everyone’s on edge. This time, we want to get ahead of it.”
Earlier this month, reports of ceasefire violations along the LoC have some concerned that a long-dormant bout of hostilities might re-ignite. Neither party has confirmed the specific circumstances, but tensions continue to run high on both sides. The letters of credence is another expression that energy Pakistan desires to de-escalate and not to provoke.
Leading the delegation is reportedly former Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, a move seen by analysts as an attempt to add political weight and continuity to the country’s message. “Having Bilawal there signals seriousness — it shows Islamabad is approaching this with diplomacy, not drama,” said a retired diplomat based in Rawalpindi.
Officials say the team will carry documentation and satellite reports highlighting the recent flare-ups. The goal isn’t to lodge complaints, they insist, but to provide clarity. “We’re not pointing fingers — we’re laying out facts,” said another source close to the foreign office.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, speaking to reporters earlier this week, reinforced Pakistan’s stance. “We are committed to peace. But peace is a two-way street. There must be mutual restraint.”
In Washington, the Biden administration has remained tight-lipped, though some insiders suggest quiet diplomatic engagement is already underway behind closed doors. No dramatic moves are expected, but both Pakistan and India are believed to be under subtle pressure to maintain calm.
Meanwhile, some observers say this trip is also about reputation. With Pakistan’s economy still recovering and regional perception fragile, the government is trying to show it’s acting responsibly — and staying one step ahead.
“It’s not just about India,” noted a foreign affairs columnist in Islamabad. “It’s also about how the West sees us. This mission is a message.”
Among ordinary Pakistanis, reactions remain mixed. “They go to America, talk for a few days, come back, and nothing changes,” said Nadeem Iqbal, a schoolteacher in Gujrat. “Still, if it keeps things quiet, let them go.”
For now, the world watches — and waits — as diplomacy gets another shot
