NEW YORK: Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States, Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, firmly rejected India’s attempts to blame Pakistan for its failures in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), urging accountability and a commitment to truth.
In an interview with an American TV channel, he stated that Pakistan seeks peace in the region but emphasized that this should not be interpreted as a sign of weakness. He warned that if two nuclear powers confront each other, the consequences could be disastrous.
Rizwan Saeed stated that Pakistan does not want tension in the region and has always acted responsibly. He emphasized, "Pakistan wants peace, but it should not be mistaken for weakness."
He warned that Pakistan would respond with full force to any attack and reminded the world of the dangers if two nuclear countries go to war.
The ambassador said that India blamed Pakistan for the Pulwama attack but failed to provide solid proof. He also stated that India cannot shift the blame onto Pakistan for its own domestic political issues and aggressive policies.
Rizwan Saeed further stated that Pakistan has played a frontline role in the global fight against terrorism. He added that if India, despite deploying 700,000 troops, cannot bring peace to occupied Kashmir, it should make the world question the real problem.
Earlier, Evangelos Sekeris of Greece, the President of the UN Security Council for May, said he expects the 15-member body to meet "sooner rather than later" to address the serious situation between India and Pakistan following the April 22 armed attack in Indian-occupied Kashmir, aiming to manage the rising tensions between the two South Asian neighbors.
In response to a question during his press conference outlining the Council’s agenda for the month, Evangelos Sekeris said, “We are closely listening and monitoring the ongoing and evolving situation.”
Responding to a question about whether either party had requested a Council meeting on the issue, the Council President said the members were watching the situation closely and confirmed, “We will take up the matter—this is certain to happen.”
In this regard, he cited the Council’s press statement issued last week, in which it strongly condemned the “terrorist” attack, called for accountability, and urged international cooperation to bring the perpetrators of the Pahalgam attack to justice.
“We know that bigger member states are already in contact with both sides,” Ambassador Sekeris said. “If the situation is not de-escalating, I mean, calling for an extraordinary Security Council meeting, is something which can come as a consequence, because it is the main business of the Security Council,” noting that Pakistan is its non-permanent member.
Noting that two big member states were involved in the confrontation, the president said, “You know it's a lot at stake, and let us hope that those efforts for de-escalation will be helpful, but we are prepared (to deal with it), of course.”
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