Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States Rizwan Saeed Sheikh has said that there is no pressure from Washington on Islamabad to recognise Israel.
Speaking at a community event held in Dallas, Texas, Ambassador Sheikh clarified that Pakistan’s stance on Israel remains unchanged, and any decision on the matter will be taken in accordance with the nation’s interests and principles.
“There is absolutely no pressure from the United States on Pakistan to recognise Israel,” he told attendees.
“Our policy remains consistent and is shaped by Pakistan’s independent foreign policy priorities.”
He added that Pakistan’s position on Israel is in line with the ideology of the founder of the nation, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, who firmly supported the rights of the Palestinian people and opposed the unjust occupation of their land.
The ambassador's remarks come amid growing global realignments in the Middle East, including the normalisation of ties between several Arab states and Israel under the US-brokered Abraham Accords.
However, Pakistan has repeatedly stated that its stance is tied to a just solution to the Palestinian issue.
Addressing the broader contours of Pakistan-US relations, Ambassador Sheikh expressed optimism, noting that ties between the two countries are improving. “We are witnessing a positive trajectory in Pak-US relations,” he said, adding that cooperation in various sectors was expanding.
In his address, the ambassador also touched upon the potential of cryptocurrency and blockchain technologies in Pakistan. He highlighted the availability of surplus electricity as an opportunity for investment in the digital finance sector.
“Pakistan has the resources, including electricity, which can be channelled into new technologies like cryptocurrency,” he said, encouraging the diaspora to explore avenues for investment and innovation in the country’s growing tech landscape.
Ambassador Sheikh also reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to peace but emphasised that the country would never compromise on its national defence.
Earlier, he met with members of the Pakistani-American community, urging them to play a more proactive role in strengthening bilateral ties and promoting Pakistan’s interests in the United States.
