WASHINGTON: Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States of America Rizwan Saeed Sheikh engaged leading representatives of the U.S. think-tank community for an in-depth briefing on the recent escalation between Pakistan and India, following the Pahalgam incident in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
Ambassador Sheikh questioned the credibility of India’s accusations against Pakistan, citing the lack of evidence and the hasty filing of a First Information Report. He emphasized that such blame games are not new, referencing Pakistan’s measured response to the 2019 Pulwama crisis.
He contextualized current tensions by revisiting India’s 2019 revocation of Articles 370 and 35-A, which stripped IIOJK of its special status. He described the region as “the world’s largest prison,” underlining the severe restrictions on media, internet, and civil liberties.
Denouncing India’s aggressive posture and leadership rhetoric, Ambassador Sheikh warned that such jingoism endangers regional peace. He also criticized India’s unilateral moves on the Indus Waters Treaty, calling them violations of international norms that threaten Pakistan’s agrarian economy and could amount to acts of war.
Reiterating Pakistan’s steadfast opposition to terrorism, the ambassador noted that Pakistan suffered over 1,000 terrorist incidents in the past year—a 40% increase from 2023. He reiterated the call for a neutral, transparent, and internationally credible investigation into the Pahalgam incident, potentially under UN auspices.
Ambassador Sheikh expressed appreciation for the support of the U.S., China, UK, Saudi Arabia, Iran, and others in advocating for peace. He highlighted the Kashmir dispute as a persistent threat to stability and urged global powers to seize this moment to help resolve the conflict—suggesting that such an initiative could be a historic opportunity for peacemaking.
Ambassador Sheikh invited think-tank participants to offer insights and engage in evidence-based dialogue, reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to peace, cooperation, and constructive regional engagement.
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