Ambassador of Pakistan to the United States H.E. Rizwan Saeed Sheikh addressed students, faculty and members of the academic community at the University of California, Berkeley, on 16th October 2026 on “Pakistan’s Role in a Changing Middle East: Geopolitics, War and Migration.”
The talk was organised by the Department of Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures, Asian American and Asian Diaspora Studies, Department of Ethnic Studies, and Programme on Arab and Palestinian Studies.
Addressing the audience, the Ambassador highlighted the significance of Pakistan’s geo strategic location and its impactful exposure to Middle Eastern political economy over the past eight decades. He noted that the country’s regional outlook and policy choices must be understood in the context of its history, geography and evolving security environment. Pakistan over the past year had emerged as a stabilizing force in South Asia, Middle East and beyond.
The Ambassador also discussed Pakistan’s historical role in regional and international security, noting that successive conflicts and geopolitical rivalries have had lasting consequences for Pakistan’s security, economy and society. He emphasised Pakistan’s continued commitment to regional peace, stability through responsible engagement.
Responding to questions from students, Ambassador Sheikh discussed Pakistan’s regional policies, Afghanistan, terrorism, migration, border management and the circumstances that determined Pakistan’s role in the region. He emphasised the importance of understanding Pakistan’s contemporary challenges through a broader geopolitical and historical lens.
The Ambassador also highlighted Pakistan’s vulnerability to climate change, describing the country as a frontline state in the global fight against climate change, particularly in view of its frequent exposure to floods and other extreme weather events.
Concluding his remarks, the Ambassador described Pakistan as a resilient nation that had repeatedly confronted crises and conflicts while continuing to pursue peace, stability and development. He encouraged students and academics on more personal and intimate engagement with Pakistan’s history, people and contemporary realities beyond prevailing perceptions.
