ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has said that the issue of Kashmir and Indus Water Treaty will be among the key topics in dialogue with India post ceasefire.
In a statement, the defence minister said that discussions likely to be held after the ceasefire with India will also focus on the issues like terrorism.
Kashmir issue
“When talks with India begin, two or three issues including Kashmir will be of utmost importance for us,” said Khawaja Asif.
Commenting on the Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos, Pakistan defence minister said that India’s arrogance of power has been reduced to dust, adding that India may not have anticipated Pakistan’s response.
“India will surely reconsider the misconceptions it had,” said the minister, pointing out that India believed it could impose its terms on Pakistan by pressuring it.
Asif said Pakistan repeatedly urged India to investigate the Pahalgam incident and provide evidence.
“Many countries were supporting our position on the investigation into the Pahalgam incident.”
Khawaja Asif further highlighted the damage to India’s credibility, saying, “India’s credibility has come under question in this entire matter.”
He further said the world is acknowledging the failure of India’s military strategy.
He said that countries like China, Azerbaijan, and Turkey openly supported Pakistan, while other brotherly nations also played a role in backing Pakistan.
The minister pointed out that many nations having stronger trade ties with India even supported Pakistan during this crisis.
Khawaja Asif said that despite having the potential to escalate the conflict, Pakistan showed restraint.
“We could have increased the momentum of war, but we chose the option to put brakes on it.”
