WASHINGTON: Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States, Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, raised serious concerns on Wednesday regarding the improper use of U.S. military equipment abandoned in Afghanistan. He warned that these weapons are being exploited by militant groups to conduct attacks within Pakistan and are destabilizing the wider region.
During a meeting with Congressman Brian Mast, Chairman of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee, Sheikh discussed regional security challenges, bilateral ties, and opportunities for future collaboration.
Sheikh emphasized that militancy originating from Afghanistan remains a significant threat not only to Pakistan’s security but also to regional and international peace efforts. He pointed out that terrorist incidents in Pakistan surged by 40% in 2024 and increased by an additional 25% in 2025, largely due to militants operating from Afghan territory.
The ambassador expressed “grave concern” over the ongoing unlawful utilization of U.S. weapons left behind after the U.S. military’s withdrawal from Afghanistan. He welcomed the idea of fostering stronger ties and invited Mast to visit Pakistan, believing that such a trip would deepen parliamentary and people-to-people connections.
Sheikh appreciated U.S. support and leadership in advancing Pakistan-U.S. relations, highlighting Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s commitment to transforming the partnership into a long-term, mutually beneficial relationship centered on economic cooperation. He proposed declaring 2026 as a “year of action” to accelerate progress.
Furthermore, the ambassador called for the swift initiation of a high-level economic dialogue, emphasizing collaboration in energy, defense, minerals, information technology, and artificial intelligence sectors. He underscored Pakistan’s competitive advantage in low-cost, high-quality manufacturing that could serve U.S. market needs.
Sheikh also highlighted Pakistan’s renowned surgical instrument industry and suggested that an improved trade environment could boost exports, including textiles. He cited Pakistan’s successful sporting goods exports, exemplified by footballs from Sialkot used in recent FIFA World Cup tournaments, as evidence of the country’s manufacturing strength.
Both nations reaffirmed their commitment to enhance cooperation across economic, security, and other strategic domains, aiming to strengthen bilateral relations further.
