ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has expressed gratitude to China for endorsing his call for a credible, neutral, and transparent international investigation into the Pahalgam incident, which has heightened tensions between Pakistan and India.
During a meeting with Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong on Thursday, Shehbaz Sharif said that Pakistan had always condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
The meeting came against the backdrop of heightened tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours after gunmen attacked tourists in the Pahalgam area of occupied Kashmir on 22 April, killing 26 people and injuring 17.
India swiftly blamed Pakistan for the attack without presenting any credible evidence. Pakistan condemned the attack and strongly rejected the Indian government’s baseless accusations.
A day after the Pahalgam incident on 23 April, India’s Cabinet Committee on Security approved measures including the closure of the Wagah-Attari border crossing and the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called for an independent investigation into the incident.
Islamabad also warned that any attempt by India to stop or divert the Indus River waters would be considered an “act of war”.
Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, Guo Jiakun, during his regular briefing, said China has welcomed all measures that help to cool down the current situation and supports fair and just investigations into the Pahalgam incident.
During the meeting with the Chinese envoy, the Prime Minister conveyed his warm good wishes to President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang and expressed Pakistan’s sincere thanks to China for its strong and steadfast support to Pakistan, in the prevailing situation in South Asia.
While recalling the recent telephone conversation between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, the Prime Minister thanked China for understanding Pakistan’s principled position vis-à-vis India’s actions since April 22, 2025.
The Prime Minister said that Pakistan had always condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
Chinese Ambassador in Pakistan, H.E Jiang Zaidong called on Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad today. pic.twitter.com/A5uHkiErO5
— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) May 1, 2025
He added that as a front-line state in the war against terror, Pakistan had sacrificed over 90,000 lives while suffering over $ 152 billion in economic losses in its effort to make the country, as well as the rest of the world, a safer place.
He said that India’s belligerent actions could distract Pakistan from its ongoing counter-terrorism efforts against ISKP (The Islamic State – Khorasan Province), TTP (Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan), and BLA (Balochistan Liberation Army), who were operating from inside Afghanistan.
The Prime Minister said that India’s decision to weaponize water was extremely regrettable, especially as there was no provision for either party to walk away unilaterally from its commitments under the Indus Waters Treaty.
The Prime Minister also underscored that the peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute was the only way to ensure lasting peace in South Asia.
The Chinese Ambassador thanked the Prime Minister for sharing Pakistan’s perspective and emphasised that China would always support Pakistan to achieve the common desire of both countries to secure peace and stability in South Asia.
