Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, Pakistan’s ambassador to the US, on Sunday disproved any suggestion that Washington is pressuring Islamabad into forming diplomatic ties with Israel, noting that Pakistan’s policy remains true to that of Muhammad Ali Jinnah – its founder.
Ambassador Sheikh was quoted at an event in Dallas, as saying there is “absolutely no pressure from the United States regarding recognition of Israel”, underscoring that Pakistan’s long-held position advocating justice for Palestinians and supporting a two-state solution has remained unchanged. (Dunya News/Daily Times).
Sheikh maintains that Pakistani policy is driven not by external influences but by national values and principles enshrined in Jinnah’s writings.
These remarks come amid increased international speculation prompted by diplomatic overtures to Israel under the Abraham Accords, through which several Muslim-majority nations have normalized relations with Israel. U.S. officials such as former President Trump and Secretary of State Rubio suggested that other nations–potentially including Saudi Arabia–are reconsidering their stance toward Israel, possibly leading to Dunya News reporting of change of heart on this front.
Sheikh made it clear that Pakistan is immune from geopolitical currents.
Pakistan-U.S. relations continue to strengthen in multiple areas including trade, energy, and technology. He mentioned Pakistan’s abundant electricity resources as well as emerging opportunities in cryptocurrency mining – an indicator of Islamabad’s desire to attract investment into the digital economy. (Daily Times/Tasnim News +15
Pakistan has taken an uncompromising position regarding Palestinian rights for many decades. Islamabad has repeatedly declared its support of this cause, maintaining formal diplomatic ties with Israel only once there is “an agreed, concrete and permanent solution to the Palestine issue,” including an independent Palestinian state within pre-1967 borders and East Jerusalem as its capital (sources: INSS, Al Jazeera and Wikipedia).
Past Pakistani leaders such as former Prime Minister Imran Khan and Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi have repeatedly stressed that pressure from friendly states such as Saudi Arabia or UAE won’t sway Islamabad unless progress toward Palestinian self-determination occurs; for more on this topic, please see Reuters, Al Jazeera and Anadolu Ajansi (+15% each).
Pakistan is committed to its independence when it comes to foreign policy decisions and remains free from U.S. pressure; therefore, Islamabad maintains its delicate balance by maintaining global partnerships while still upholding strategic autonomy and moral authority on sensitive matters such as Palestine.
Pakistan’s foreign ministry reiterated that their approach toward Israel remains consistent with both national interests and international legal frameworks – such as United Nations (UN) resolutions or Organization of Islamic Cooperation ( OIC ) resolutions, according to Al Jazeera.
Washington analysts interpret Ambassador Sheikh’s reaffirmation as both a diplomatic rebuttal and a reminder of Pakistan’s value-based approach to foreign diplomacy. With Abraham Accords becoming an established reality throughout the region, Islamabad remains committed to upholding their principles that regional peace must include justice for Palestinians in any future agreements with Israel.
Under Washington’s pressure for support on regional issues and lasting U.S.-Pakistan ties, Ambassador Sheikh made it clear in Dallas what Pakistan’s position on longstanding foreign policy principles will be regardless of diplomatic reverberations elsewhere.