Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif engaged in a telephone conversation with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday, during which he outlined Pakistan’s official stance on the April 22 Pahalgam attack in Indian-administered Kashmir, which resulted in 26 fatalities.
PM Sharif reiterated Pakistan’s firm condemnation of all forms of terrorism, emphasizing that the nation has suffered over 90,000 casualties in its fight against extremism. He expressed disappointment over India’s provocative actions and rejected the Indian narrative attributing the attack to Pakistan without credible evidence. The Prime Minister called for a transparent and impartial investigation into the incident.
Highlighting the escalating tensions, PM Sharif urged the United States to exert pressure on India to adopt a more responsible approach and refrain from provocative behavior. He underscored the importance of peaceful dialogue, particularly concerning the Kashmir issue, as a means to achieve lasting peace in South Asia.
Secretary Rubio acknowledged the conversation and expressed a commitment to fostering peace and stability in the region. The U.S. has been actively engaged in urging both India and Pakistan to de-escalate tensions following the attack, calling for collaboration to ease regional strains .
