Beijing Commended for Standing by Pakistan Amid Escalating Indo-Pak Tensions
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday extended heartfelt thanks to Chinese Premier Li Qiang for endorsing Pakistan’s call for a credible and transparent international investigation into the April 22 attack in Pahalgam, Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), which killed 26 people.
The prime minister made the remarks during a meeting with Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong at the Prime Minister’s Office in Islamabad. He praised Beijing for its consistent and principled support at a time of escalating regional tensions, and expressed appreciation for China’s understanding of Pakistan’s stance on recent Indian actions in the region.
Prime Minister Sharif conveyed his best wishes to President Xi Jinping and Premier Li, reaffirming Islamabad’s strong diplomatic ties with Beijing. He emphasized that Pakistan remains open to any neutral and transparent investigation into the Pahalgam incident, rejecting India’s allegations as part of an ongoing blame game.
Pakistan Reiterates Commitment to Anti-Terror Efforts and Regional Peace
In a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, Sharif reiterated Pakistan’s unequivocal condemnation of terrorism in all its forms. He highlighted that as a frontline state in the global war on terror, Pakistan has lost over 90,000 lives and suffered more than $152 billion in economic damage, all while pursuing peace for the region and beyond.
The premier warned that India’s aggressive posturing could undermine Pakistan’s critical counterterrorism operations, particularly against militant outfits such as IS-KP, TTP, and BLA, many of which are believed to operate from Afghan territory.
Sharif also drew attention to what he termed India’s “water aggression”, condemning New Delhi’s reported moves to weaponize shared water resources. He labeled such acts a violation of the Indus Waters Treaty, stating, “No party has the right to unilaterally deviate from international agreements.” He warned that this strategy could destabilize the region and erode trust between neighboring countries.
China Reaffirms Support for Pakistan’s Core Interests
During the meeting, Ambassador Jiang Zaidong thanked the Prime Minister for clearly articulating Pakistan’s perspective. He reaffirmed China’s continued support for peace and stability in South Asia and assured that Beijing stands by Pakistan on all its core national interests.
The Prime Minister emphasized the urgent need to address the Jammu and Kashmir dispute for sustainable peace in the region. “Without resolving the Kashmir issue, the region cannot achieve lasting peace,” he noted, underscoring Islamabad’s call for a peaceful and just settlement.
