Latest news with #RizwanSaeedSheikh
Business Recorder
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
US media told: Blocking water flows will be an ‘act of war'
WASHINGTON: Pakistan's Ambassador to the United States, Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, on Saturday warned that blocking water for a population of 250 million would be considered an act of war. Speaking to the media in the US, Ambassador Sheikh emphasised that the Indus Waters Treaty does not allow for unilateral suspension, and there is no provision in the agreement for such action. He added that the international community would not support the use of water as a weapon. The ambassador highlighted that the United States has played a significant role in the ceasefire between Pakistan and India, and praised the American leadership's efforts in easing tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. Pakistan Army warns of long consequences if Indus waters stopped He also said that US President Donald Trump is a proponent of peace, and Pakistan appreciates his efforts in advancing the resolution of the Kashmir issue, adding that Pakistan remains committed to a lasting solution to the Kashmir dispute in line with the aspirations of the Kashmiri people. He further said that provocative statements from Indian leadership are fuelling regional tensions and reflect the extremist Hindutva ideology. He added that India's role in destabilising Balochistan is no secret to the world.
Express Tribune
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Indian leadership's rhetoric shows Hindutva mindset: Rizwan Saeed
Listen to article Pakistan's Ambassador to the US, Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, has warned that Indian leadership's recent Hindutva-driven rhetoric and actions, that reflect a 'terrorist mindset,' threaten regional stability. Speaking to multiple media outlets in Washington, Rizwan Saeed Sheikh said India's handling of the Indus Waters Treaty showed a disregard for international law. 'The treaty contains no provision for unilateral termination or suspension,' the ambassador said. 'India's attempt to use water as a weapon is both illegal and inhumane, and the international community will not support such actions.' He further criticised Indian leadership's recent remarks and visual displays, including a map of Akhand Bharat in the Indian Parliament, calling it a reflection of 'hegemonic mentality and sinister intentions.' The ambassador claimed that the use of anti-Pakistan rhetoric for domestic political gain in India was a 'dangerous strategy' that risked inflaming nationalism.'India's involvement in Balochistan is no longer a secret,' Rizwan Saeed Sheikh added. Ambassador Sheikh also commended the United States for its role in maintaining the ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan. He praised former US President Donald Trump for promoting peace in the region and called for continued American engagement on the Kashmir issue. 'We appreciate President Trump's peace efforts and hope they continue within the established framework to resolve the Kashmir dispute.' The Indus Waters Treaty, signed in 1960 under World Bank supervision, governs water sharing between India and Pakistan. Earlier, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Pakistan will not get water from rivers over which India has rights upping the rhetoric in a standoff over water access triggered by a deadly attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). Pakistan's chief legal officer, in an interview with Reuters, responded that Islamabad remained willing to discuss water sharing between the neighbours but said India must stick to a decades-old treaty. "Pakistan will have to pay a heavy price for every terrorist attack ... Pakistan's army will pay it. Pakistan's economy will pay it," Modi said at a public event in Rajasthan. India-Pakistan standoff The latest escalation between Pakistan and India began on April 22, when an attack in the IIOJK resort town of Pahalgam killed 26 people. India immediately blamed Pakistan for the incident, despite providing no public evidence. In response, India undertook a series of hostile actions the next day on April 23, including suspending the 65-year-old Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), cancelling visas for Pakistani citizens, closing the Wagah-Attari border crossing, ordering the shutdown of the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi, and reducing diplomatic staff at each other's embassies. Pakistan strongly rejected the accusation, calling it unsubstantiated, but took reciprocal measures through its National Security Committee (NSC). These included halting trade with India, closing Pakistani airspace to Indian aircraft, and other countersteps. Tensions further escalated in the early hours of May 7, when missile strikes hit six cities in Punjab and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), destroying a mosque and killing dozens of civilians, including women, children, and the elderly. In a swift military response, Pakistan's armed forces shot down Indian warplanes, including three Rafale jets, widely regarded as a key asset of the Indian Air Force. Over the following two days, India launched waves of Israeli-made drones, which were also neutralised by Pakistan's military. The confrontation intensified again in the early hours of May 10, when India targeted several Pakistani airbases with missile strikes. In retaliation, Pakistan launched Operation Bunyanum Marsoos, damaging Indian military installations, including missile storage sites, airbases, and other strategic targets. By Saturday evening, US President Donald Trump announced that a ceasefire had been reached following intense diplomatic efforts overnight. Minutes later, the agreement was confirmed separately by Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and the Indian foreign secretary. But despite the military ceasefire the war of narratives has waged on. While Pakistan publicly credited US President Donald Trump — along with China and Gulf states — for playing a vital role in defusing tensions, India downplayed foreign involvement. Indian officials have insisted the truce was the result of direct bilateral talks. Trump, has however, reiterated his stance twice following the initial announcement.
Business Recorder
21-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Pakistan eyes Starlink to bridge digital divide amid engagement with SpaceX
Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, Ambassador of Pakistan to the United States, has said that the transformative potential of SpaceX's Starlink, which provides internet access to remote locations by low Earth orbit satellites, can bridge Pakistan's digital divide. The remarks came during Sheikh's high-level visit to the headquarters of SpaceX, a leading American aerospace and tech firm, based in Los Angeles. He was accompanied by Asim Ali Khan, Consul General of Pakistan in Los Angeles, and other officials of the consulate. During the visit, the Pakistani envoy received a briefing on the ongoing discussions regarding potential collaboration between Pakistan and SpaceX, particularly concerning the Starlink satellite internet project and broader satellite technologies. 'The Pakistan delegation was warmly welcomed at SpaceX Headquarters by the Vice President of Starlink Global Business Operations and the Director of Global Business Development, who highlighted how Starlink's low-Earth orbit satellite infrastructure and SpaceX's commercial capabilities could support Pakistan's digital transformation,' read the statement. The discussion focused on expanding broadband access and strengthening national connectivity, especially in underserved and remote regions of Pakistan. Meanwhile, the ambassador reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to promoting innovation-led development through strategic international partnerships. He appreciated the constructive dialogue and expressed hope that continued engagement would lead to tangible cooperation in space technology, digital infrastructure, and commercial innovation, read a statement from the Consulate General of Pakistan, Los Angeles. The engagement with SpaceX forms part of Sheikh's broader engagement in California, focused on strengthening technological and economic ties between the private sectors of Pakistan and the United States. Despite frequent engagements, Pakistan, home to one of the world's largest freelancing communities, is still awaiting the operational launch of Starlink. Last month, Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja announced that the licensing process for Starlink will be completed soon, adding that the satellite-based internet provider will launch its services in Pakistan by November 2025. 'Following the license issuance, we will commence the installation of the necessary equipment, and Starlink will be available in Pakistan from November,' Shaza Fatima said while briefing the National Assembly's standing committee. In March, Islamabad approved the temporary registration of Starlink, paving the way for the launch of satellite-based internet services in the country.
Shafaq News
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
India and Pakistan head towards dangerous confrontation
Shafaq News/ Armed clashes between India and Pakistan killed over 17 civilians and injured more than a dozen others in an exchange of fire in Kashmir. Indian military officials described the offensive as a precision operation against Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed facilities, citing links to the April 22 Pahalgam attack that killed 26 Hindu pilgrims. Pakistan denied harboring militants and condemned the strikes as indiscriminate. Meanwhile, Pakistan reported that Indian shelling targeted residential areas in Azad Kashmir, resulting in five fatalities and 12 injuries. The strikes followed India's launch of "Operation Sindoor" on May 7, targeting alleged militant infrastructure across the Line of Control and inside Pakistan-administered territory. Islamabad authorized retaliatory action, claiming its forces shot down five Indian aircraft, including Rafale and MiG-29 jets, as well as several drones. India has not confirmed the reported losses. Notably, India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty and closed border crossings, while Pakistan withdrew from the 1972 Simla Agreement, barred Indian flights from its airspace, and expelled Indian diplomats. National security-level contacts have been established between Pakistan and India according to Pakistan's ambassador to Washington Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, who warned that domestic political pressure may 'limit Islamabad's flexibility.' With military activity intensifying and formal communication channels deteriorating, regional analysts warn of heightened risk of full-scale confrontation in the absence of urgent international mediation.
Business Recorder
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Pakistan's US ambassador says Islamabad, New Delhi have had contact at national security level
WASHINGTON: Pakistan's ambassador to the US said on Thursday that Islamabad and New Delhi have had contacts at the level of their respective National Security Councils, when asked if the nuclear-armed Asian neighbors had any ongoing lines of conversation. The ambassador, Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, made the comments in an interview with CNN in which he also said the responsibility to de-escalate tensions between the two countries lay with India after two days of clashes. Key quotes 'I think there have been contact at the level of NSCs, but then this escalation, both in terms of the actions that have been taken and in terms of rhetoric that is coming out, has to stop,' Sheikh said in the interview without giving more details about the contacts. US VP Vance says war between Pakistan and India will be 'none of our business' 'Now the responsibility for de-escalation is on India, but there are constraints on restraint. Pakistan reserves the right to respond back. There is enough pressure from our public opinion on the government to respond,' he added. Why it's important Many global powers, including the US, have urged New Delhi and Islamabad to de-escalate tensions and keep lines of communication open. Washington has called for direct dialogue. Context The latest escalation in the decades-old India-Pakistan rivalry began on April 22 when gunmen killed 26 people in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir in an attack that New Delhi blamed on Islamabad, which denied the accusations and called for a neutral probe.
