Pakistan will not initiate hostilities but will strongly respond to any escalation from India, declared Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar during a joint press conference. He, alongside ISPR Director General Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry and Foreign Office Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan, addressed border tensions and Indian sponsored terrorism within Pakistan.
Relations between the two nations have hit a new low following the April 22 attack in Pahalgam, Indian-occupied Kashmir, which claimed 26 lives. India’s allegations of Pakistan’s involvement, presented without evidence, were strongly denied by Islamabad. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called for a neutral investigation into the tragic incident.
FM Dar criticized the “provocative and politically charged environment” created by India, warning that Pakistan, while committed to peace, is prepared to defend itself vigorously. He emphasized Pakistan’s stance against terrorism, quoting the Quranic principle that saving one life is like saving all of humanity, and condemned the exploitation of such incidents for political gains and international deflection.
Dar underlined Pakistan’s sacrifices in addressing terrorism, stating the country’s loss of over 80,000 lives, alongside economic setbacks exceeding $500 billion.
Dar reiterated that Pakistan seeks peace and regional stability but will not compromise on sovereignty, warning that any violation of water rights or territorial aggression would be treated as an act of war. He called for India to focus on internal issues instead of attributing its shortcomings to external entities.
