Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif received a telephone call from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday, according to a press release from the prime minister’s office.

PM Shehbaz reaffirmed Pakistan’s resolve to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity and stressed that Pakistan reserved the right to act in self-defence under Article 51 of the UN Charter, the statement read. He also appreciated President Trump’s concern over the current security situation in South Asia.

According to the statement, the PM conveyed Pakistan’s strong condemnation of India’s missile and drone strikes, which had led to the loss of 31 lives and injured 57 others, alongside damaging civilian infrastructure.

“India’s attacks had violated Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, while gravely jeopardising peace and stability in the South Asia region,” the PM was quoted as saying.

According to the statement, Secretary Rubio noted that the United States was closely following the situation in the region “as it was committed to promoting peace and stability”. He emphasised the need for both Pakistan and India to work closely to de-escalate the situation.