PM Shehbaz, US Secretary of State Rubio discuss regional tensions

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a wide-ranging telephonic conversation on Wednesday, covering critical developments in South Asia, the threat of terrorism, and prospects for stronger Pakistan-US ties.

The Prime Minister began the call by extending his best wishes to US President Donald Trump and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to working closely with the US administration across all areas of mutual interest.

During the conversation, the Prime Minister briefed Secretary Rubio on Pakistan’s perspective regarding the recent developments following the Pahalgam incident. He condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, stressing that Pakistan had played a central role in the global war on terror.

He reminded the US Secretary of State that Pakistan had sacrificed over 90,000 lives and endured more than $152 billion in economic losses while standing at the frontline against terrorism. He expressed concern that India’s increasingly provocative and reckless behaviour was undermining these efforts.

According to the Prime Minister, New Delhi’s baseless allegations linking Pakistan to the Pahalgam incident were an attempt to deflect attention from Islamabad’s ongoing counterterror operations, particularly against groups like ISKP, TTP, and BLA operating from Afghan soil.

Shehbaz Sharif reiterated Pakistan’s demand for an independent, transparent, and credible international investigation into the Pahalgam incident. He urged the United States to play its role in pressing India to refrain from irresponsible rhetoric and instead behave like a responsible regional actor.

The Prime Minister also criticized India’s recent move to initiate “water aggression” against Pakistan, calling it extremely regrettable and dangerous. He highlighted that the Indus Waters Treaty offers no legal room for unilateral withdrawal or manipulation, and any such attempt threatens the livelihood of Pakistan’s 240 million people who depend on those waters.

In discussing broader regional stability, the Prime Minister stressed that a peaceful resolution to the longstanding Jammu and Kashmir dispute is essential for lasting peace in South Asia. Without addressing the core issue, he said, efforts to build peace in the region will remain incomplete and fragile. Moving on to bilateral matters, Prime Minister Shehbaz emphasized the longstanding relationship between Pakistan and the United States, spanning over 70 years. He noted that both countries had cooperated closely in the past and still have significant potential to collaborate in new areas such as counterterrorism, trade, economic recovery, and especially the mineral sector.

Shehbaz Sharif told Secretary Rubio that his government had implemented major economic reforms over the past year, and as a result, Pakistan’s economy was now showing signs of recovery. He underscored the importance of expanding economic cooperation with the US to further accelerate this progress. In response, Secretary Rubio thanked the Prime Minister for the detailed and candid discussion and acknowledged Pakistan’s sacrifices and contributions in fighting terrorism. He emphasized the need for both nations to continue working together for peace, security, and stability in South Asia.