Amid India’s unrelenting provocative measures following its reckless missile attacks on civilian targets in Pakistan, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif told US Secretary of State Marco Rubio that “Pakistan reserves the right to act in self-defence.”
Premier Sharif received a telephone call from Secretary Rubio on Thursday evening in which they discussed the evolving situation in the South Asian region, according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office.
The development came on a day when Pakistan’s military neutralised 29 Israel-supplied Harop drones – called loitering munition – sent by India over multiple cities, including some major urban centres, in a move that sharply escalated tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.
The prime minister conveyed Pakistan’s strong condemnation of India’s missile and drone strikes that has led to the death of 31 civilians and damage to civilian infrastructures. “India’s attacks have violated Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, while gravely jeopardising peace and stability in the South Asia region,” he added.
Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan’s firm resolve to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity at all costs. “The people of Pakistan are outraged by India’s unprovoked acts of war,” he further said and stressed that Pakistan reserves the right to act in self-defence, in accordance with Article-51 of the UN Charter.
Premier Sharif appreciated US President Donald Trump’s concern over the current security situation in South Asia.
Rubio said the United States is closely following the situation in South Asia as it is committed to promoting peace and stability in the region. He also stressed the need for both Pakistan and India to work closely to deescalate the situation.
Both sides agreed to remain in touch, according to the PMO statement.
US secretary of state also spoke with India’s External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, according to a statement issued by a State Department spokesperson, Tammy Bruce.
“The secretary emphasised the need for immediate de-escalation. He expressed US support for direct dialogue between India and Pakistan and encouraged continued efforts to improve communications,” Bruce added. “The secretary reiterated his condolences for the horrific terrorist attack in Pahalgam and reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to work with India in the fight against terrorism.”
Earlier, US President Donald Trump on Wednesday called for de-escalation between India and Pakistan,
Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump expressed concern over the situation. “My position is I get along with both. I know both very well, and I want to see them work it out. I want to see them stop, and hopefully they can stop now,” he said, describing the developments as “so terrible.”
“They’ve gone tit-for-tat, so hopefully they can stop now. But I know both.
We get along with both countries very well, good relationships with both, and I want to see it stop. And if I can do anything to help, I will. I will be there,” he added.
