'International Players': Sharif Thanks US, Rubio, While Imran Khan Is Sidelined

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Posted by AI on 2025-06-27 03:51:34 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-12-13 06:50:39

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In a marked shift in foreign policy, recently sworn-in Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif thanked outgoing US Senator Marco Rubio and the US government for their 'role' in helping achieve a ceasefire with India. This comes after a prolonged stalemate between Pakistan and India over the disputed territory of Kashmir.

Sources close to the new administration tell us that Sharif is looking to ramp up international engagement to pressurise India on the issue of Kashmir and solidify domestic support in the face of challenges from predecessor Imran Khan.

Senator Rubio, who is said to have close ties to the Pakistani leader, has reportedly played a key behind-the-scenes role in helping kickstart peace talks with India.

The shift in policy towards stronger engagement with Washington and greater internationalisation of the Kashmir issue represents a dramatic departure from the isolationist and aggressively anti-Western stance taken by former Prime Minister Imran Khan.

With Sharif's newly formed government facing a mounting economic crisis and domestic discontent, the move also reflects a recognition that closer ties with the US and a more pragmatic approach towards India could help counterbalance the increasing closeness between Islamabad and Beijing over the past decade.

Whether this signifies a longer-term shift in Pakistan's strategic posture remains to be seen, but insiders suggest that Sharif is preparing to reach out to other international players to help address the country's pressing issues.

This news comes after a turbulent year for Pakistan, with unprecedented protests and a controversial overthrow of the former government.

It remains to be seen how this development will be received by the Pakistani public, with sentiments towards the US being largely negative in recent years.

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