Islamabad, April 29, 2025: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif spoke with United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Tuesday evening to discuss rising tensions in South Asia following the recent Pahalgam incident.
During the conversation, the Prime Minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering stance against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, highlighting the country’s significant sacrifices in the global fight against terrorism. He categorically rejected Indian allegations linking Pakistan to the April 22 attack in Indian-administered Kashmir, describing them as “baseless and politically motivated.”
Shehbaz Sharif voiced grave concern over India’s ongoing efforts to malign the legitimate Kashmiri freedom movement by branding it as terrorism, and he condemned the continuing human rights violations in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). He also raised the issue of India’s alleged manipulation of the Indus Basin waters, warning that such actions threaten the survival of over 240 million Pakistanis.
Reiterating Pakistan’s resolve to protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity, the Prime Minister cautioned that any Indian military misadventure would be met with a firm and proportional response. He urged the UN Secretary-General to advise India to exercise restraint and behave responsibly in the interest of regional stability.
Prime Minister Sharif stressed that the unresolved Jammu and Kashmir dispute remains the core source of instability in South Asia. He called on the UN to take a more active role in facilitating a just and peaceful resolution in accordance with relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
Underscoring Pakistan’s commitment to global peace and multilateral diplomacy, the Prime Minister noted the country’s constructive role as a responsible member of the international community and as a current non-permanent member of the UN Security Council.
In response, Secretary-General Guterres acknowledged Pakistan’s contributions to peacekeeping and regional diplomacy. He expressed concern over the escalating situation and emphasized that the world cannot afford further instability in South Asia at this critical time.
