Introduction: Diplomacy Amid Regional Tensions
In a significant diplomatic engagement, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States, Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, held a comprehensive briefing session at the Embassy of Pakistan in Washington, D.C. for representatives of leading American think tanks. The meeting, held amid growing tensions between Pakistan and India, primarily focused on the recent Pahalgam incident, the broader situation in Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IOJK), and ongoing regional stability concerns in South Asia.
Ambassador Sheikh presented Pakistan’s stance on the latest accusations made by India, reiterated Islamabad’s commitment to regional peace and counter-terrorism, and highlighted India’s alleged violations of international law, human rights, and bilateral treaties.
The Pahalgam Incident: Pakistan Demands Evidence
No Proof Provided by India
Ambassador Sheikh began the briefing by discussing the Pahalgam incident, an event that has escalated diplomatic and political friction between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. He stated that India has so far failed to provide any credible evidence linking Pakistan to the event. He noted that accusations have been leveled prematurely, without due investigation, and asserted that Pakistan categorically denies any involvement.
The ambassador emphasized that Pakistan demands a transparent, impartial, and international investigation into the incident, underscoring Islamabad’s openness to cooperation under international legal frameworks.
Echoes of Pulwama 2019
Drawing parallels to the Pulwama attack in 2019, Ambassador Sheikh reminded attendees that this is not the first instance in which India has blamed Pakistan without substantiation. The 2019 Pulwama bombing, which resulted in the deaths of 40 Indian paramilitary personnel, led to heightened military conflict between the two nations, including air strikes and dogfights. Yet, even years later, many questions remain about the exact circumstances and motivations behind the incident.
India’s Actions in Kashmir: A Humanitarian and Legal Crisis
Unilateral Measures in IOJK
Ambassador Sheikh criticized India’s unilateral and illegal actions in Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, particularly referring to the abrogation of Article 370 and Article 35A in August 2019, which revoked the region’s semi-autonomous status. These actions, he said, are violations of international law, including United Nations Security Council Resolutions on Kashmir.
He described the current state of IOJK as “the world’s largest prison,” with severe restrictions on freedom of movement, press, speech, and internet access. He noted that thousands of Kashmiris, including minors and political leaders, remain under detention without trial, and the local population continues to live under a militarized lockdown.
Media Blackout and Repression
The ambassador pointed to continued media blackouts, communication blackouts, and suppression of civil liberties in the region. He urged the global community, including human rights organizations and independent journalists, to demand access to the region and conduct on-ground assessments of the humanitarian situation.
India’s Rhetoric and Regional Instability
War-Mongering and Extremist Narrative
Sheikh strongly condemned India’s inflammatory rhetoric and militarized posturing, which he said reflects an extremist, ultra-nationalist ideology. He warned that such provocative behavior risks destabilizing the entire South Asian region, which is home to over a billion people.
He stressed that India’s aggressive policies are often driven by domestic political agendas, including electioneering and nationalism, rather than genuine security concerns.
Hegemonic Designs and Regional Peace
The Pakistani envoy argued that India’s hegemonic ambitions and disregard for international norms are a direct threat to regional peace, stability, and economic integration. He noted that Pakistan remains committed to peace, but such peace must be founded on dignity, mutual respect, and international legal principles.
The Indus Waters Treaty: A Flashpoint for Conflict
Violation of a Historic Treaty
Ambassador Sheikh brought attention to India’s behavior concerning the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), signed in 1960 and brokered by the World Bank. He described India’s unilateral attempts to alter water flow and construction of controversial dams as violations of the treaty and an existential threat to Pakistan’s agricultural economy, which supports over 240 million people.
He warned that such water aggression could be interpreted as a “declaration of war”, calling for international monitoring and mediation to preserve the treaty and prevent hydro-political conflict.
Pakistan’s Commitment to Counter-Terrorism
Most Affected by Terrorism
In response to India’s recurring accusations, Ambassador Sheikh highlighted Pakistan’s long-standing victimhood of terrorism. He cited figures indicating that Pakistan witnessed over 1,000 terrorist incidents in 2024 alone, marking a 40% increase from the previous year. These attacks, he said, have cost Pakistan thousands of lives and have deeply impacted its economy and social fabric.
He reiterated that Pakistan unequivocally condemns terrorism in all its forms, and has consistently cooperated with international counter-terrorism mechanisms, including the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Committee.
Diplomatic Engagement and International Support
Global Efforts to De-Escalate Tensions
Ambassador Sheikh extended gratitude to the governments of the United States, China, United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, Iran, and other key international players for their diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions between India and Pakistan. He urged these countries to play a more proactive role in resolving the Kashmir dispute, which he termed the “core issue” behind all Indo-Pak conflicts.
He emphasized that the current crisis is an opportunity for global powers to push for a just and lasting solution to the Kashmir issue under the UN Charter and bilateral agreements like the Simla Accord.
Appeal to US Think Tanks and Policymakers
Addressing the participants, Ambassador Sheikh appealed to US think tanks, scholars, and policy experts to recognize the complexity of the Kashmir conflict and its potential impact on regional and global peace. He encouraged continued dialogue and academic engagement to help shape balanced, informed policies in Washington regarding South Asia.
The Vision of Peace and Economic Development
A Peaceful Agenda for Progress
In his concluding remarks, Ambassador Rizwan Saeed Sheikh stated that Pakistan’s foremost agenda is economic development, not conflict. He reaffirmed that Pakistan wants to establish peace with dignity, and is open to dialogue without compromising its sovereignty or territorial integrity.
He also referenced former US President Donald Trump’s call for global peace, suggesting that resolving the Kashmir conflict could be a monumental step in achieving lasting peace in the region and beyond.
Engagement with the US Think Tank Community
Invitation to Collaborate
At the end of the meeting, the ambassador invited think tank representatives to share their insights and collaborate with the Embassy on future policy dialogues, research collaborations, and academic exchanges.
He stressed that Pakistan is committed to continued engagement with the intellectual community in Washington, and welcomes efforts to promote mutual understanding, counter-terrorism cooperation, and conflict resolution through diplomacy.
Conclusion: A Call for Balanced Global Attention
As tensions continue to simmer between Pakistan and India, diplomatic initiatives like this one underscore Islamabad’s intent to present its narrative on international platforms, counter misinformation, and seek multilateral support for peace and justice in Kashmir. The briefing by Ambassador Rizwan Saeed Sheikh served as both a diplomatic counterpoint to India’s allegations and a call to action for international actors to engage constructively with one of the world’s longest-running and most dangerous territorial disputes.
