Islamabad (Web Desk): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday urged Saudi Arabia and other brotherly countries to impress upon India to de-escalate and defuse tensions in South Asia, reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to maintain peace and stability in the region.
He was talking to ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Pakistan Nawaf bin Saeed Al-Maliky who called on him here at the PM House.
While sharing Pakistan’s stance on the recent situation in South Asia following Pahalgam incident, the prime minister said that Pakistan condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
“It had rendered great sacrifices in its counter-terrorism efforts over the years. This was done not only to protect Pakistan but the entire world,” the prime minister said.
He outrightly rejected baseless Indian accusations linking Pakistan to the Pahalgam incident without any evidence and reiterated his call for a transparent and neutral international investigation into the incident.
Emphasizing the government’s complete focus on consolidating the hard-earned economic gains of the past 15 months, with the support of friendly countries including Saudi Arabia, the prime minister said it was inconceivable for Pakistan to act in an irresponsible manner to jeopardize its achievements and derail the country from the path of economic progress.
During the meeting, the prime minister conveyed his warm wishes to The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud as well as to the Crown Prince & Prime Minister, Prince Mohammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud.
He thanked the Saudi leadership and people for always standing in solidarity with Pakistan through thick and thin.
The Saudi ambassador thanked the prime minister for sharing his views on this important issue and said that Saudi Arabia wanted to work with Pakistan for peace and security in the region.
PM Shehbaz reiterates Pakistan’s desire to peace, stability in region
United Arab Emirates (UAE), Ambassador to Pakistan Hamad Obaid Ibrahim Salem Al-Zaabi, on Friday called on PM Shehbaz at the Prime Minister’s House in Islamabad.
During the meeting, the prime minister reiterated Pakistan’s desire to sustainable peace and stability in South Asia.
PM Shehbaz conveyed his warm wishes to Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, President of the UAE and thanked the UAE for its unwavering support to Pakistan, which bore testament to the historic, deep-rooted, fraternal ties between the two countries.
The prime minister shared Pakistan’s perspective on recent developments in South Asia since the Pahalgam incident.
He said Pakistan condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, as it had itself been one of the biggest victims of terrorism.
Citing the enormous sacrifices in terms of 90,000 casualties and over $152 billion in economic losses over the years, the prime minister said the country was dealing with the menace of terrorism emanating from its western front. India’s recent actions and its aggressive posture was distracting Pakistan from its counter-terrorism efforts.
PM Shehbaz categorically rejected the baseless accusations leveled by India in its desperate attempts to link Pakistan to the Pahalgam incident, without any evidence.
He said Pakistan had nothing to do with this and emphasized that he had offered to have a credible, transparent and neutral international investigation into the incident.
The premier shared that Pakistan was reaching out to other friendly countries to present its position on the current crisis.
While emphasizing that his government was focused on consolidating the hard-earned economic gains of the past fifteen months, which had been made possible by the support of friendly countries including the UAE, the prime minister said Pakistan would never take such an action that could imperil regional peace and security.
In this regard, the prime minister urged brotherly countries, including the UAE to impress upon India to de-escalate and defuse tensions. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s desire for peace and stability in South Asia.
The UAE envoy thanked the prime minister for sharing Pakistan’s position and said that the UAE would work closely with Pakistan for maintaining regional peace and security.
PM shares developments in South Asia with Kuwait Ambassador since Pahalgam incident
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday took the Kuwait Ambassador into confidence on Pakistan’s perspective with regard to recent developments in South Asia since Pahalgam incident.
Ambassador of the State of Kuwait, Nasser Abdulrahman Jasser called on the Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif here at the PM House.
During the meeting, the prime minister conveyed his warm wishes to Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Amir of the State of Kuwait.
While noting the strong, historic, brotherly relations between Kuwait and Pakistan, PM Shehbaz recalled that both countries had stood together through thick and thin.
The prime minister said that he keenly looked forward to the visit of Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, Crown Prince of Kuwait, at the earliest possible.
Stressing that Pakistan condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, he said the country had suffered more than 90,000 casualties and over USD 152 billion in economic losses over the years, in its war against terrorism.
PM Shehbaz firmly rejected India’s baseless accusations, linking Pakistan to Pahalgam incident, without sharing any proof or evidence. He stated that Pakistan was confident of its stance and had offered to the international community to conduct a credible, transparent and neutral investigation into the incident.
He stressed that the government was focused on consolidating the hard-earned economic gains of the past fifteen months, which had been made possible by the support of friendly countries. The country could ill afford any action that could endanger regional peace and security. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s desire for peace and stability in South Asia.
The Kuwaiti Ambassador thanked PM Shehbaz for sharing Pakistan’s position and affirmed that Kuwait shared Pakistan’s vision for regional peace and security.
The development comes as tensions soar between nuclear-armed neighbours after a deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), in which 26 tourists were killed.
On April 23, India announced the unilateral suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT)—a landmark water-sharing accord mediated by the World Bank in 1960.
Despite enduring multiple wars and diplomatic crises, the treaty has remained a rare symbol of cooperation between the two nations.
In retaliation, Pakistan declared on April 24 its intention to consider suspending the Simla Agreement of 1972, a foundational framework for bilateral relations, and warned of the potential closure of its airspace to Indian aircraft.
While Indian authorities have alleged possible cross-border involvement in orchestrating the Pahalgam attack, no definitive evidence has been released to support such claims.
Pakistan, for its part, has categorically denied any involvement and has called for an independent international inquiry to ascertain the facts surrounding the incident.
On April 26, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, while reiterating Pakistan’s strong condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, said that Pakistan as a responsible country is open to participate ‘in any neutral, transparent and credible investigation’ into Pahalgam incident.
However, he had expressed regret over the conduct of Pakistan’s eastern neighbour, accusing it of a continued pattern of exploitation and baseless accusations without credible evidence or transparent investigations.
PM Shehbaz had stressed that while Pakistan prefers peace, this inclination should never be mistaken for weakness, the prime minister made it clear that the nation will never compromise on its dignity or national security.