Berkeley, California, 16 October 2026(Kamran Raja): Ambassador of Pakistan to the United States, H.E. Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, addressed students, faculty members and the wider academic community at the University of California, Berkeley, on 16 October 2026, on the topic “Pakistan’s Role in a Changing Middle East: Geopolitics, War and Migration.”
The event was organised jointly by the Department of Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures, Asian American and Asian Diaspora Studies, the Department of Ethnic Studies, and the Programme on Arab and Palestinian Studies.
In his address, Ambassador Sheikh highlighted Pakistan’s geostrategic location and its longstanding engagement with the Middle East, particularly in the context of regional political and economic developments over the past eight decades. He emphasised that Pakistan’s regional outlook and policy choices must be understood in light of its historical experience, geographical position and evolving security environment. He also highlighted Pakistan’s role in promoting stability in South Asia, the Middle East and beyond.
The Ambassador reflected on Pakistan’s historical contributions to regional and international security, noting that successive conflicts and geopolitical rivalries had significantly shaped the country’s security priorities, economy and society. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to regional peace and stability through responsible engagement, dialogue and cooperation.
During an interactive question-and-answer session, Ambassador Sheikh engaged with students on a range of issues, including Pakistan’s regional policies, Afghanistan, terrorism, migration and border management. He elaborated on the historical and geopolitical factors influencing Pakistan’s regional role and stressed the importance of examining contemporary developments within their broader historical and strategic context.
The Ambassador also drew attention to Pakistan’s vulnerability to climate change, describing the country as being on the frontlines of the global climate crisis. He highlighted the recurring challenges posed by floods and other extreme weather events, underscoring the importance of international cooperation and collective efforts to address climate-related risks.
Concluding his remarks, Ambassador Sheikh underscored Pakistan’s resilience in confronting successive crises and conflicts while continuing to pursue peace, stability and development. He encouraged students and academics to engage more closely with Pakistan’s history, society, people and contemporary realities, emphasising the value of informed academic inquiry and direct engagement in developing a deeper understanding of the country beyond prevailing perceptions.
The interaction provided an opportunity for meaningful academic exchange on Pakistan’s evolving regional role and the broader geopolitical dynamics shaping the Middle East and South Asia.