Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States, Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, said that Pakistan’s relationship with the U.S. is based on strategic necessity rather than preference, highlighting that cooperation between the two countries is vital for regional and global stability.
Speaking at the Future Security Forum 2025 in Washington, Ambassador Sheikh described the Pakistan-U.S. partnership as essential for peace, progress, and addressing shared challenges like terrorism, climate change, and regional security.
He thanked U.S. President Donald Trump for helping end the recent 88-hour standoff, calling it a crucial step to prevent escalation in a “nuclear neighbourhood of 1.7 billion people.”
Focus on climate and economy
Sheikh said that Pakistan’s recurring floods have severely impacted its economy and infrastructure, stressing that climate change must be treated as a global emergency. He linked climate cooperation with economic stability, noting that Pakistan continues to rebuild even while repaying international loans.
Kashmir issue
Reaffirming Pakistan’s stance on Kashmir, the ambassador urged the UN to help ensure the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination, saying peace in South Asia is impossible without resolving the dispute.
Balanced foreign policy
Rejecting the idea of aligning with global power blocs, Sheikh said Pakistan’s foreign policy focuses on balance and engagement. He emphasized that Pakistan’s ties with China are long-standing and that projects like the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) should be viewed as tools for economic growth, not political rivalry.
Regional peace and refugees
Sheikh condemned cross-border terrorism from Afghanistan and said Pakistan remains committed to addressing it through diplomacy. He clarified that only undocumented Afghan refugees are being repatriated, ensuring a “dignified and lawful process.”
He also expressed hope that ongoing U.S.-led peace efforts could help end the Ukraine conflict, reiterating Pakistan’s belief in diplomacy as the path to lasting stability.
