ISLAMABAD: In a high-level diplomatic exchange amid growing regional tensions, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif held a crucial telephone conversation this evening with United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, focusing on recent developments in South Asia.
During the call, the Prime Minister categorically rejected Indian allegations linking Pakistan to the recent Pahalgam incident, labeling them “baseless” and politically motivated. He reiterated Pakistan’s unequivocal condemnation of terrorism in all its forms, while highlighting the country’s extensive sacrifices in the global fight against terror.
Sharif urged for a transparent and impartial international investigation into the Pahalgam episode, dismissing any attempts to malign Pakistan’s reputation through unsubstantiated accusations.
Expressing deep concern over India’s actions in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), the Prime Minister criticized what he called New Delhi’s efforts to delegitimize the Kashmiri freedom movement by conflating it with terrorism. He pointed to documented evidence of state-sponsored violence in the region and denounced India’s alleged weaponization of the Indus Basin waters, warning that any disruption to this critical resource—lifeline to 240 million people—was unacceptable.
In a stern message, the Prime Minister asserted that Pakistan will defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity against any potential misadventure. He appealed to the UN Secretary-General to counsel India to act with restraint and responsibility to avoid further regional instability.
Sharif reaffirmed that the unresolved Jammu & Kashmir dispute remains the core cause of conflict in South Asia, and urged the UN to take an active role in facilitating its just resolution in line with Security Council resolutions.
The Prime Minister also reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to international peace and security, particularly as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council.
In response, Secretary-General Guterres acknowledged Pakistan’s continued efforts to maintain peace in the region and emphasized that the world cannot afford any escalation in South Asia, especially at this critical juncture in global affairs.
