- Thanks to Trump for ending an 88-hour standoff, calling it a “vital act.”
- Urges UN to offer mediation in Kashmir for regional peace.
- Only undocumented Afghan refugees are repatriated.
WASHINGTON, DC: Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States, Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, has reaffirmed Islamabad’s commitment to diplomacy, stability and pragmatic economic policies, terming the Pakistan-US partnership “vital” for peace and progress.
“Between the two mega-countries of today and tomorrow – from a present and futuristic point of view – good relations are not a question of choice or preference; they are indispensable,” Ambassador Sheikh said during a panel discussion on “The Future of US-Pakistan Relations” at the Future Security Forum 2025 in Washington, DC.
Highlighting the depth and continuity of the bilateral partnership, Ambassador Sheikh noted that Pakistan and the United States share a long-standing and important relationship, marked by collaboration on critical global challenges, including the fight against terrorism and climate change.
The 11th Annual Future Security Forum was hosted by Arizona State University and New America in collaboration with Security & Defense PLucS. The event brought together high-level policymakers, defense experts and thought leaders for discussions on emerging dynamics in global security.
He thanked U.S. leaders, particularly President Trump, for facilitating the ceasefire that ended the 88-hour standoff, calling it “a vital act that prevented escalation in a nuclear region home to 1.7 billion people.”
Addressing a wide range of issues, including climate change, India-Pakistan relations, the situation in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), China-Pakistan relations, the Ukraine conflict and regional tensions with Afghanistan, Ambassador Sheikh reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to diplomacy, stability and the development of pragmatic policies.
He spoke at length about Pakistan’s climate resilience and self-reliance. He said climate change was not an abstract concept for Pakistan but an existential crisis.
The ambassador recounted the country’s repeated cycles of devastating floods, describing new phenomena such as successive downpours and climate disasters that have destroyed infrastructure, reversed economic gains and disrupted development programs.
Sheikh stressed that Pakistan’s diplomacy today is deeply linked to climate policy and economic security, noting that “what we build every few years is washed away by floods, but we still have to repay what we borrowed to rebuild.”
Reiterating Pakistan’s principled stance towards the IIOJK, he called for international mediation to help the Kashmiri people realize their right to self-determination in line with the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions, emphasizing that peace in South Asia remains conditional on the resolution of this long-standing dispute.
Rejecting “camp politics”, he said Pakistan’s foreign policy seeks balanced relations. He said Pakistan’s ties with Beijing were rooted in historical continuity and economic cooperation.
“We do not have a binary choice. Our relationship with China did not start yesterday and it will not end tomorrow,” he remarked, adding that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) must be seen from an economic perspective, as an enabler of regional connectivity and prosperity.
He recalled the pivotal role played by Pakistan in promoting rapprochement between the United States and China decades ago and expressed readiness to play a similar role today as an economic bridge for global peace and progress.
Condemning cross-border terrorism from Afghanistan, Ambassador Sheikh said Pakistan has endured immense suffering due to terrorism and will resolutely address it.
He, however, reiterated that diplomacy remained Pakistan’s preferred approach to resolve bilateral issues with Afghanistan and India.
“Diplomacy is our preference. Pakistan’s history shows that we have always stood for diplomatic solutions,” the ambassador reaffirmed.
On the issue of Afghan refugees, Ambassador Sheikh clarified that only undocumented or illegal residents were repatriated and that Pakistan wanted to ensure their return with dignity.
Travel across the Pak-Afghan border should be visa based, in line with international practice, he continued.
Regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, he recognized and praised the peace efforts led by the United States under the leadership of President Trump, expressing hope for their success.
Ambassador Sheikh concluded by thanking the Forum organizers and engaging with the audience in a constructive question-and-answer session, highlighting Pakistan’s enduring commitment to world peace, dialogue and mutual respect in international relations.
