Islamabad, May 1, 2025 – Pakistan’s Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif expressed heartfelt appreciation to Chinese Premier Li Qiang for backing Pakistan’s demand for an impartial and transparent international investigation into the deadly April 22 incident in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), which claimed 26 lives. The remarks were made during a meeting with Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong at the Prime Minister’s Office in Islamabad on Thursday.
During the discussion, Sharif extended his gratitude to China for its unwavering support amid rising tensions in the region. He conveyed warm regards to Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li, commending Beijing’s alignment with Pakistan’s stance on recent developments involving India. The prime minister emphasized that Pakistan remains committed to condemning all forms of terrorism, highlighting the country’s significant sacrifices in the global fight against terror, including the loss of over 90,000 lives and economic damages surpassing $152 billion.
Sharif described the Pahalgam incident as part of a recurring pattern of blame-shifting, reiterating Pakistan’s openness to a neutral investigation to uncover the truth. He voiced concerns over India’s recent actions, which he said could distract Pakistan from its ongoing efforts to combat militant groups such as the Islamic State-Khorasan Province (IS-KP), Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), and Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), which operate from Afghan soil.
The prime minister also raised alarms over India’s alleged attempts to manipulate water resources, labeling it a breach of the Indus Waters Treaty. “Such unilateral actions undermine international agreements and threaten the stability of the region,” Sharif stated, urging adherence to established protocols to maintain trust among nations.
Sharif underscored that resolving the Jammu and Kashmir dispute is pivotal for achieving enduring peace in South Asia. “Sustainable regional stability is unattainable without a just resolution to the Kashmir issue,” he affirmed.
In response, Ambassador Jiang thanked Sharif for articulating Pakistan’s perspective and reaffirmed China’s commitment to fostering peace in South Asia. He assured the prime minister that Beijing stands firmly with Pakistan on key issues and shares its vision for a harmonious region.
The meeting highlighted the strong bilateral ties between Pakistan and China, with both sides expressing a mutual desire to deepen cooperation and promote stability in the face of regional challenges.
