ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar has said that Pakistan has nothing to do with the Pahalgam terror attack, condemning terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
The statement came during the press conference along with the DG ISPR Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry and the Foreign Office spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan in Islamabad amid the rising tensions between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam attack in Indian-occupied Kashmir.
Addressing the presser on Wednesday, the Foreign Minister said the peace and stability of the entire region is on the brink of destruction owing to the “politically motivated and highly provocative environment being created by India” in the wake of the Pahalgam attack.
“Let me start by reiterating that Pakistan condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. No cause or objective can justify taking the lives of innocent people. This is the national and Islamic policy: killing of a human being is tantamount to killing entire humanity as per the [Holy] Quran, and saving a life is tantamount to saving entire humanity,” the DPM said.
“India glorifies and even celebrates its assassination campaign and sponsorship of terrorism in Pakistan and other countries. No other country has sacrificed so much or suffered as much as Pakistan due to terrorism,” the Foreign Minister added.
Recounting the loss of over 80,000 lives and economic losses of over $150 billion, Dar said that in total, the overall loss incurred by Pakistan amounted to $500bn. He said Pakistan had been working closely with the international community to address the common threat of terrorism.
The top diplomat said that following the Pahalgam attack, accusations were made without evidence, adding that Pakistan demanded a transparent investigation and that we will provide all possible cooperation in the probe.
Furthermore, Dar rejected India’s Indus Water Treaty suspension, saying that the treaty cannot be canceled without consultation.
“This move shows that India does not care about the international community. The National Security Committee made it clear that stopping water will be considered a war; Pakistan desires peace and stability in the region,” Dar told reporters.
“If any action is taken, we will defend the integrity of our country, we have the full right to defend ourselves.”
The Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister said that the countries he spoke to have advised restraint, adding that Pakistan will never take the initiative, but if India takes any action, it will give a strong response.
Dar raises imp questions
Dar raised several key questions for the global community to consider in light of recent developments, including India’s inflammatory rhetoric and attempts to blame Pakistan for the Pahalgam attack without evidence.
“Is it not time for the world to hold India accountable for its transnational assassinations, including in Pakistan?” Dar asked. “And isn’t it crucial to distinguish between legitimate sympathy for victims and an unwitting endorsement of India’s belligerent behaviour?”
“Three, is it not that Indian propaganda is aimed at fabricating a case for military adventure?”
“Four, don’t you think that India’s blatant disregard for international law and whimsical approach towards its obligations would lead to a highly unstable and unpredictable regional order?”
“Five, isn’t it high time for the international community to step in and condemn India and prevent it from targeting people on the basis of Islamophobia and religious hatred?”
“Six, can we deny that the dangerous Indian brinkmanship and efforts aimed at escalation can potentially lead to disastrous consequences in a nuclearised region and beyond?“
“We remain very alert,” Dar said, concluding: “The armed forces are vigilant, and the National Security Committee (NSC) resolve is strong. The nation will thwart any misadventure, responding in a befitting and decisive manner at the time and place of our choosing.”
Foreign Office Spokesperson briefing
Following Ishaq Dar’s news conference, Foreign Office Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan highlighted irregularities in the registration of the first information report for the incident.
The FO spokesperson added that the FIR was registered within 10 minutes. “It takes at least 30 minutes to go from the scene of the incident to the police station, the question arises as to how the FIR was registered so quickly,” he added.
He also criticised the speed with which Indian accounts began blaming Pakistan without offering any evidence.
FO spokesperson Shafqat added that Pahalgam is 230 kilometers away from the LoC and is a mountainous area, while Indian social media accounts, controlled by Indian agencies, started blaming Pakistan immediately after the incident.
DG ISPR Lt Gen Sharif briefing
Meanwhile, DG ISPR Lt Gen Chaudhry noted that the attack site was located far from the nearest town of Bagh in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, emphasising that Pakistan was presenting facts rather than engaging in baseless allegations.
“If the allegation is that the Pakistan-based so-called terrorists did this incident, then you need to be cognizant of where it lies, how deep within [occupied Kashmir]. If you see the terrain, you will see it is quite hilly, it is not the sort of terrain that is friendly, and not the sort of terrain where all-weather fair roads exist. It’s mostly [four-wheelers] that travel,” he said.
DG ISPR also reiterated Pakistan’s demand to hold an independent, transparent, and impartial inquiry into the Pahalgam incident.
“The international community should take note of India’s state-sponsored terrorism in Pakistan,” he added.
Additionally, he said the Pakistan Army was fully prepared to respond to any threat on all fronts, adding that India’s strategy may be aimed at keeping Pakistan engaged on the eastern border.
Lt Gen Chaudhry said all political parties of the country expressed determination to give a befitting response to any Indian aggression.
Pakistan Army has completed all preparations for a retaliatory response, the DG ISPR said, adding that the Pakistani nation will defend its sovereignty and integrity at all costs.
Accusing India of being behind terrorist incidents in Pakistan, the Lt Gen Sharif stated that Pakistan witnessed 3,700 terrorist attacks since January 2024, wherein 3,896 people died.
He said at least 2,582 officers and personnel were martyred in the terror attacks. As many as 77,816 operations have been carried out since January 2024.
He informed the media that 1,666 terrorists were killed in these operations, and 83 of these terrorists were high-value targets.
“Security forces and law enforcement agencies are conducting more than 190 operations daily,” he added.
The military spokesperson has assured the nation that defence institutions were ready to defend the country at all times and warned India against “testing patience”.
“We are not the ones who are going to initiate aggression. We are a very responsible state, and we will always follow a path of reason and constructive engagement. But if they think aggression is the path forward, then our message is only this: we are ready — don’t test us.”
“Whether it’s the armed forces, air force, navy, or any other defence-related institution, all are constantly engaged in preparations. We are present everywhere, at all times. We are ready and prepared to take on all sorts of challenges.”
“If they [India] choose the path of military confrontation, that will be their decision — but where it leads will be ours.”
