Islamabad, May 2, 2025 — Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday urged Saudi Arabia and other friendly nations to play a constructive role in encouraging India to de-escalate tensions in South Asia. The prime minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to regional peace and stability during a high-level meeting with Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Pakistan, Nawaf bin Saeed Al-Maliky, at the Prime Minister’s House.
The meeting took place in the wake of the recent Pahalgam incident, which has heightened regional unease. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reiterated Pakistan’s unambiguous condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and highlighted the country’s sacrifices over the years in the global fight against terrorism. “These sacrifices were not only for Pakistan but for global peace,” he emphasized.
The prime minister firmly rejected India’s unfounded allegations that attempted to link Pakistan to the Pahalgam incident, stating that such accusations lacked evidence and credibility. He called for a neutral and transparent international investigation to determine the true facts behind the attack.
Prime Minister Shehbaz also highlighted his administration’s unwavering focus on preserving the economic stability gained over the past 15 months. He stressed that Pakistan, with the steadfast support of partners like Saudi Arabia, has made meaningful progress and cannot afford to let provocations derail its path toward economic revival.
During the conversation, Shehbaz Sharif expressed his heartfelt regards to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and to Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman. He thanked the leadership and people of Saudi Arabia for their continued support and solidarity during challenging times.
The Saudi Arabia ambassador acknowledged Pakistan’s viewpoint and commended the leadership for its consistent emphasis on dialogue and peace. He assured that Saudi Arabia remains committed to working closely with Pakistan to ensure peace, cooperation, and regional security.
The meeting concluded with a shared understanding of deep-rooted bilateral ties and a reaffirmation to further strengthen cooperation between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia in addressing mutual challenges.