ABBOTTABAD (Kashmir English): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday said that Pakistan, as a responsible country, was open to any “neutral and transparent” investigation into the Pahalgam attack.
Earlier on April 22, at least 26 people, mostly tourists, were killed in the deadliest armed attack in the Anantnag district of Indian occupied Kashmir.
Following the terror attack, India implied cross-border linkages of the attackers and imposed a slew of aggressive diplomatic measures, while Pakistan strongly denied any involvement.
Addressing a passing-out parade at Pakistan Military Academy (PMA) in Kakul, PM Shehbaz strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
The premier also denied India’s baseless allegations and accusations over the Pahalgam attack, stating that this ‘blame gam must come to a grinding halt.’
“Our valiant armed forces remain fully capable and prepared to defend the country’s sovereignty,” the prime minister affirmed.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reiterated, “Peace is our preference, but it must not be construed as our weakness. We shall and will not compromise on our dignity and security of the beloved Pakistan.”
During his address, the prime minister also reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for Kashmiris’ right to self-determination.
The prime minister said founder, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, had rightly declared Kashmir as the jugular vein of Pakistan.
Talking about India’s decision to suspend the Indus Water Treaty in abeyance, the prime minister said that water had been ‘a vital national interest’ of Pakistan and a lifeline for its 240 million people.
He made it loud and clear that no doubt, its availability would be safeguarded at all costs and circumstances.
“Any attempt to stop, reduce, and divert the flow of water belonging to Pakistan under the Indus Waters Treaty will be responded to with full force and might, and no one should remain under any false impression and confusion,” he said.
He said Pakistan would continue its unwavering commitment to playing a positive and constructive role on the global stage for peace and security, as it believed in the unity of the human race.
