Pakistan Committed to Dialogue and Diplomacy, Says Ambassador Saqlain Syedah

Pakistan’s Ambassador to Germany, Saqlain Syedah, reaffirmed Pakistan’s long-standing commitment to dialogue and constructive diplomatic engagement as the preferred path to resolving disputes, including the Jammu and Kashmir issue.

In an interview with Deutsche Welle (DW), Ambassador Syedah emphasized that the 2021 ceasefire understanding between Pakistan and India should be a foundation for sustained dialogue. She stated that issues such as the Kashmir dispute and the Indus Waters Treaty could only be effectively resolved through diplomatic channels.

“Pakistan has always advocated for peace through dialogue. The issue of Jammu and Kashmir must be resolved in accordance with United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions,” she said, adding that the global spotlight on Kashmir today is a positive step forward for its people.

Responding to a question, the ambassador noted that countries like the United States had expressed willingness to mediate in the matter. She reiterated that Jammu and Kashmir remains the core issue between Pakistan and India, and is internationally recognized as a disputed territory.

Highlighting developments since 2019, Ambassador Syedah criticized India’s unilateral move to alter the status of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), calling it a violation of both international law and UNSC resolutions.

On the topic of recent cross-border tensions, the ambassador stated that India’s baseless accusations against Pakistan led to attacks on civilian and military targets. The resulting de-escalation was facilitated through engagement by the U.S. administration, leading to a temporary ceasefire.

Rejecting claims of terrorist camps inside Pakistan, she said, “There are no such camps. India attacked densely populated civilian areas, resulting in the tragic loss of 46 lives.” She further added that Pakistan had called for a neutral and transparent investigation into the Pahalgam incident, which India refused.

Addressing another question, Ambassador Syedah firmly denied the presence of terrorist outfits in Pakistan, noting the country’s consistent fight against terrorism since 9/11. “We have battled terrorism on both eastern and western fronts,” she stated, citing the case of Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav as evidence of Indian involvement in subversive activities in Balochistan.