Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States, Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, has firmly stated that Pakistan reserves the right to respond to India’s aggression at a time and manner of its choosing. His remarks came during interviews with major American news networks Fox News and PBS, where he presented Pakistan’s official stance on the recent hostilities.
Ambassador Sheikh condemned India’s unprovoked and baseless aggression following the Pahalgam incident, calling it a violation of international norms and an act of lawlessness in the absence of any credible evidence.
He emphasized that Pakistan is capable of defending itself and any retaliatory action would be taken in accordance with its national interests and timing. Referring to Pakistan’s National Security Committee statement, he highlighted that the country retains the right to self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter, asserting that Pakistan seeks peace with dignity, not submission.
Sheikh further reiterated that the international community welcomed Pakistan’s call for an impartial and transparent investigation into the Pahalgam attack.
Addressing the broader regional issue, the ambassador urged the United States—particularly President Donald Trump—to play a proactive role in the peaceful and just resolution of the Kashmir dispute. He underscored that lasting peace in South Asia is unattainable without addressing the decades-old issue in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions.
“Kashmir remains at the heart of tensions between Pakistan and India, directly affecting the lives of over 1.6 billion people in the region,” Sheikh said, stressing that its resolution is not only vital for regional stability but also a moral obligation for global powers.
The ambassador’s comments come amid growing international scrutiny of India’s recent airstrikes on Pakistan and reports confirming Pakistan’s successful retaliation, including the downing of Indian Rafale fighter jets, as confirmed by segments of the U.S. media.
