Pakistan ready to play role between China and US, says envoy

Ambassador of Pakistan to the United States, Rizwan Saeed Sheikh has said that Pakistan and the United States are enjoying longstanding and consequential relationship and Islamabad is ready to play a constructive role between China and America, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Thursday.

Rizwan Saeed Sheikh was speaking during a panel discussion on “The Future of the US-Pakistan Relationship” at the Future Security Forum 2025 in Washington, D.C.

The Ambassador thanked the US leadership, particularly President Donald Trump, for facilitating the ceasefire that ended the 88-hour standoff, terming it a vital act that prevented escalation in a nuclear neighbourhood of 1.7 billion people.

Ambassador Sheikh reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to diplomacy, stability, and pragmatic policymaking. He recounted the country’s repeated cycles of devastating floods that have destroyed infrastructure, reversed economic gains, and disrupted development programs.

Reiterating Pakistan’s principled stance on IIOJK, the ambassador called for international mediation to help the Kashmiri people realize their right to self-determination in line with UN Security Council resolutions.

He said Pakistan’s foreign policy seeks balanced relations and Pakistan’s ties with Beijing are rooted in historical continuity and economic cooperation. He said Pakistan’s relationship with China didn’t start yesterday, and it is not ending tomorrow. He said China-Pakistan Economic Corridor should be viewed through an economic lens, as a facilitator of regional connectivity and prosperity.

Condemning cross-border terrorism from Afghanistan, the ambassador stated that Pakistan has endured immense suffering from terrorism and will address it resolutely. He reaffirmed that diplomacy remained Pakistan’s preferred approach to resolving bilateral issues with both Afghanistan and India. 

On the issue of Afghan refugees, he clarified that only undocumented or illegal residents are being repatriated, and that Pakistan wanted to ensure their return in a dignified manner.

Regarding the ongoing Ukraine conflict, he acknowledged and welcomed peace efforts led by the United States under President Trump’s leadership, expressing hope for their success.