Pakistan Warns of Strong Response if Provoked Amid Rising Tensions with India

Joint Briefing by FM Isahaq Dar, DG ISPR Lt Gen

Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry and FO Spokesperson

Shafqat Ali Khan addressed border tensions

Web Desk

Islamabad: Amid escalating tensions with India following the deadly Pahalgam attack, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Wednesday warned that while Pakistan would not be the first to escalate hostilities, it would respond “very strongly” if provoked.

Dar made the statement at a joint press conference alongside Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry and Foreign Office Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan. The briefing addressed border tensions along the Line of Control and accused New Delhi of sponsoring terrorism inside Pakistan.

India Blames Pakistan After Pahalgam Attack

Tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbors spiked after a brutal assault in Pahalgam, Indian-occupied Kashmir, on April 22 left 26 civilians, mostly tourists, dead. India suggested Pakistan-backed militants were responsible—an accusation Islamabad has firmly rejected.

Despite initial claims of responsibility, the group “Kashmir Resistance” later denied involvement. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has since called for an independent and transparent investigation into the incident.

Pakistan Rejects Indian Allegations, Calls for Neutral Probe

FM Dar categorically rejected India’s claims, terming them baseless and politically motivated. “Pakistan condemns terrorism in all forms. No cause justifies killing innocent people,” he said. He reaffirmed that Pakistan had no link to the Pahalgam attack and emphasized the need for a neutral inquiry with credible terms of reference.

He noted that Islamabad’s quick response—including a formal statement issued from Ankara—proved Pakistan’s sincerity in condemning terrorism globally.

India Accused of Using Terror Claims for Political Gains

Dar accused India of weaponizing terrorism allegations for domestic political mileage. He pointed out that Indian authorities and media had a history of exaggerating or fabricating accusations against Pakistan—similar to the 2019 Pulwama incident.

“The uproar around every incident in India seems choreographed,” said Dar, adding that New Delhi aims to divert attention from its human rights abuses in occupied Kashmir and its failure to suppress the Kashmiri freedom movement.

Indus Waters Treaty and Indian Aggression

FM Dar also criticized India’s recent statements suggesting a suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, calling them “illegal and irresponsible.” He warned that any unilateral diversion of water flows would be seen as an “act of war.”

“Pakistan is an agrarian country, and millions depend on these water rights. The treaty cannot be amended without consensus,” he stressed.

Pakistan’s Sacrifices Against Terrorism Highlighted

Reiterating Pakistan’s victimhood in the global fight against terrorism, Dar cited over 80,000 lives lost and economic damage exceeding $500 billion. He said Pakistan’s armed forces and civilians had made unparalleled sacrifices in promoting regional and international peace.

He accused India of state-sponsored terrorism and cross-border sabotage, calling on the international community to hold New Delhi accountable for transnational assassinations and Islamophobic campaigns.

DG ISPR, FO Spokesperson Challenge Indian Narrative

DG ISPR Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry questioned the credibility of India’s claims regarding the Pahalgam attack. He said the terrain between Azad Kashmir and the attack site made infiltration unlikely and pointed out suspicious inconsistencies in the FIR’s registration time.

Foreign Office Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan added that India’s swift media accusations lacked evidence and appeared politically timed.

Pakistan Urges Global Community to Intervene

Dar posed several questions to the global community, urging it to:

1. Hold India accountable for cross-border assassinations;
2. Differentiate between sympathy for victims and endorsement of Indian aggression;
3. Recognize India’s propaganda as a pretext for military action;
4. Acknowledge India’s disregard for international law;
5. Condemn India’s Islamophobic and anti-Kashmiri rhetoric;
6. Understand the risk of escalation in a nuclear region.

Pakistan Remains Vigilant and Prepared

Concluding the presser, FM Dar said Pakistan’s armed forces and leadership were fully alert to any threat. “Any aggression will be met with a decisive response, at a time and place of Pakistan’s choosing,” he warned.

Pakistan Remains Vigilant and Prepared

Concluding the presser, FM Dar said Pakistan’s armed forces and leadership were fully alert to any threat. “Any aggression will be met with a decisive response, at a time and place of Pakistan’s choosing,” he warned.