ISLAMABAD, Friday, May 2 (WNP): Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Friday urged Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, and China to use their influence with India to help de-escalate rising tensions in South Asia, in the wake of the recent Pahalgam incident.

During separate meetings with the ambassadors of Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, and China, and in a telephone conversation with the Amir of Qatar, the Prime Minister conveyed Pakistan’s grave concerns over India’s allegations linking Islamabad to the Pahalgam incident, which he categorically rejected as “baseless and without evidence.”

Reiterating Pakistan’s principled position, Prime Minister Shehbaz reaffirmed that Pakistan condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. He underscored that the country has been one of the worst victims of terrorism, having lost over 90,000 lives and suffered economic losses exceeding \$152 billion in its decades-long counterterrorism campaign.

In his meetings with foreign envoys, the Prime Minister emphasized that Pakistan had no role in the Pahalgam incident and had offered a credible, transparent, and neutral international investigation to ascertain the facts.

“Pakistan has made significant economic gains over the past 15 months with the support of its friends, and it is inconceivable for us to act irresponsibly in a manner that would risk derailing our progress,” he said, noting that the government remained focused on economic stabilization and regional peace.

He also expressed concerns about India’s “weaponization” of water resources under the Indus Waters Treaty, calling it a direct threat to the lives and livelihoods of 240 million Pakistanis. He stressed that India’s aggressive posture and unilateral actions could undermine Pakistan’s ongoing counterterrorism operations against ISKP, TTP, and BLA militants operating from Afghanistan.

The Saudi Ambassador, Nawaf bin Saeed Al-Malki, the UAE Ambassador, Hamad Obaid Al-Zaabi, the Kuwaiti Ambassador, Nasser Abdulrahman Jasser, and the Chinese Ambassador, Jiang Zaidong, thanked the Prime Minister for sharing Pakistan’s viewpoint. They expressed their countries’ readiness to support efforts aimed at preserving peace and stability in the region.

The Amir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, in a telephone call with the Prime Minister, appreciated Pakistan’s commitment to peace and pledged Qatar’s cooperation in promoting de-escalation in South Asia.

The Prime Minister also extended warm wishes to the leadership of all five nations and expressed gratitude for their consistent support to Pakistan in times of need. He said the fraternal and historic ties with these countries remain a cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy.