Ambassador of Pakistan to the United States, Mr. Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, received a delegation from Los Angeles World Affairs Council (LAWAC), led by the Chair of the Board, the Honorable Maria Contreras-Sweet, and senior Board members at the Consulate General of Pakistan in Los Angeles. Consul General Mr. Asim Ali Khan also joined.
The two sides held a wide-ranging discussion on pressing global and regional matters, including economic development, energy transition, water security, demographic trends, women’s empowerment, and advancements in Pakistan’s education, information technology, mining, and energy sectors.
The LAWAC delegation commended Pakistan’s ongoing economic reforms and expressed keen interest in exploring investment opportunities across diverse sectors of Pakistan's economy aimed at promoting inclusive and sustainable development and bilateral economic cooperation.
Ambassador Sheikh provided a detailed briefing on the security environment in South Asia, highlighting the success of Operation Bunyad-un-Marsoos. He reiterated Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to lasting peace and regional stability, emphasizing that a just and peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, in accordance with relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions, remains central to long-term peace in the region.
Following the meeting, Ambassador Sheikh addressed a public session hosted by World Affairs Council. In his remarks, he presented an in-depth overview of Pakistan’s economic recovery, its vision for “peace with dignity,” and the evolving trajectory of Pakistan–U.S. bilateral relations. He noted that Pakistan’s internationally- recognized economic stabilization and growth strategies are intrinsically tied to a stable and secure regional environment.
He emphasized that Pakistan has demonstrated its unwavering resolve, strength, and capability to effectively repel Indian aggression, and will not hesitate to restore strategic deterrence in the region to safeguard regional and international peace and security should India undertook any future misadventure. We reserve the right to defend ourselves in accordance with the UN Charter if India again commits aggression against Pakistan, stated the Ambassador.
Ambassador Sheikh also emphasized the importance of upholding international treaties and legal frameworks, particularly in relation to transboundary water resources, which are closely linked to national security and sustainable development of hundreds of millions people in the region.
The Ambassador expressed appreciation for the role of the United States in facilitating the recent ceasefire in the region. Underscoring the broad-ranging and multifaceted partnership between Pakistan and the United States, including in the area of counter-terrorism, Ambassador Sheikh reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment and the need to further expand bilateral cooperation, especially in the backdrop of emerging geopolitical developments. He welcomed continued U.S. engagement in advancing peace and addressing core regional challenges, including its readiness for the lasting resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.
The Ambassador urged the international community to take serious cognizance of the alarming rise in fascist and jingoistic rhetoric emanating from an increasingly reckless and hegemonic regime in India, driven by the extremist Hindutva ideology and the influence of the RSS. He warned that such irresponsible, hostile, and provocative posturing poses a serious threat to regional peace, stability, and security.
Answering questions from the participants he encouraged all stakeholders, including institutions like LAWAC, to remain actively engaged in promoting global peace and dialogue and thanked the World Affairs Council for its engagement.
