Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States, Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, has clarified that Islamabad is under no pressure from Washington to normalise ties with Israel.
Speaking at a community gathering in Dallas, Ambassador Sheikh addressed various national and international issues, reiterating Pakistan’s consistent stance on Israel. He emphasised that the country’s position remains rooted in the vision of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
“Our policy towards Israel aligns with Quaid-e-Azam’s ideology,” he said, adding that Pakistan’s approach is guided by long-held principles rather than external influence.
His comments come amid growing speculation in international media regarding shifting relations between Muslim-majority countries and Israel. Pakistan, which does not have diplomatic relations with Israel, maintains that normalisation can only come after a just and fair resolution of the Palestinian issue.
During the recent tensions between Iran and Israel, Pakistan supported Tehran’s right to defend itself against Israeli aggression, further highlighting Islamabad’s firm stance.
Touching upon Pakistan-US ties, Ambassador Sheikh noted that relations between the two countries are on an upward trajectory, with efforts underway to enhance cooperation in sectors such as trade, energy, and technology.
Responding to a question about investment prospects, he highlighted that Pakistan has adequate electricity reserves to support initiatives like cryptocurrency mining – a sector witnessing exponential growth in the global digital economy.
Last month, Pakistan took a major step towards regulating its digital and virtual asset sector by initiating the drafting of a comprehensive regulatory framework. This move reflects Islamabad’s intent to formally oversee and develop its cryptocurrency ecosystem.
Subsequently, both Pakistan and New York launched dedicated Crypto Councils aimed at promoting the responsible growth of the digital asset industry.
Earlier this month, Pakistan’s federal cabinet approved the creation of the Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (PVARA), which will establish the legal and institutional foundation to regulate virtual assets in the country.
As part of its broader efforts to modernise the financial sector, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) is also preparing to launch a pilot programme for a central bank digital currency and is in the final stages of drafting legislation to regulate virtual assets.
Central banks around the world, including in China, India, Nigeria, and Gulf countries, are exploring or piloting digital currencies as the global interest in blockchain-based payments continues to rise.
