Pakistan reserves right to act in self-defence, PM tells US diplomat

Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif stressed on Thursday that Pakistan has the right to act in self-defence in accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter.

- Tariq Butt

The premier made these comments during his telephonic conversation with the US Secretary of State Marco Rubio as tensions between two nuclear armed neighbours are getting worse following the attack on tourists in Jammu and Kashmir.

Furthermore, Shahbaz strongly condemned India's missile and drone strikes that killed 31 innocent civilians, injured 57 others and damaged civilian infrastructures.

India's attacks had violated Pakistan's sovereignty and territorial integrity, while gravely jeopardising peace and stability in the South Asia region, he added.

The prime minister reaffirmed Pakistan's firm resolve to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity at all costs. However, he said that the people of Pakistan were outraged by India's unprovoked acts of war. He also appreciated US President Donald Trump's concern over the current security situation in South Asia.

Secretary Rubio urged de-escalation and expressed support for direct dialogue in separate calls with Shahbaz Sharif and Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar on Thursday, US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said.