ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister PM Shehbaz Sharif held a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday, firmly rejecting India’s attempts to link Pakistan to the Pahalgam incident and condemning New Delhi’s “water aggression” and inflammatory rhetoric.
The Prime Minister underscored Pakistan’s unparalleled sacrifices in the global war on terrorism, stating the country lost over 90,000 lives and suffered $152 billion in economic losses. He emphasized Pakistan’s role as a key counter-terrorism partner and criticized India for undermining regional stability through “provocative actions” and violations of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT). “There is no room for unilateral withdrawal from the IWT,” Sharif asserted, vowing Pakistan’s full compliance with the pact.
Sharif reiterated that India’s “irresponsible” accusations over Pahalgam and its atrocities in Kashmir threaten South Asian peace. He urged Delhi to act responsibly and resolve disputes through dialogue. On US-Pakistan ties, Sharif highlighted 70 years of bilateral cooperation and proposed expanding collaboration in counter-terrorism and economic sectors.
Secretary Rubio acknowledged Pakistan’s contributions to regional security and stressed continued US partnership for stability. The call came amid escalating India-Pakistan tensions following the failed Rafale mission and Islamabad’s recent Punjab Assembly resolution condemning Indian aggression.
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