Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar warned on Tuesday that the ceasefire between Pakistan and India could be jeopardized if the water dispute stemming from India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty is not resolved.
In an interview with an International media outlet, Ishaq Dar said that Pakistan had no intention of deploying nuclear weapons against India, emphasizing that Islamabad’s retaliatory strikes on May 7 were carried out strictly in self-defense following unprovoked Indian cross-border attacks.
He described India’s operation against Pakistan as a “war” and a “wishful attempt to establish its hegemony” in the long-disputed Kashmir region. However, he firmly stated that “the nuclear option was never on the table.”
At certain moments, one must make very critical decisions,” he stated, “We were confident that our traditional capacity and capabilities were sufficient to surpass them both in the air and on the ground.”
Although the ceasefire is currently holding, Dar warned that thorough negotiations between the two parties have not yet occurred. “We still maintain hope that reason will prevail,” he remarked.
In response to a question regarding the factors that contributed to the ceasefire, Ishaq Dar informed International media that “It is in everyone’s best interest to address such matters promptly and not allow them to extend beyond a reasonable timeframe.” “The Indians had witnessed the events in the sky,” he continued. “They could observe the extent of the damage.”
In contrast to previous statements made by India’s Director General of Military Operations, Dar asserted that there had been no direct communication between Indian and Pakistani officials regarding a ceasefire. He further noted that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio conveyed the message that India was prepared to halt the hostilities. Dar highlighted Pakistan’s commitment to fostering a framework for enduring peace and security that would ensure dignity for both parties. He identified Kashmir as the fundamental source of regional instability and advocated for the region’s right to self-determination in the future.
He reaffirmed Pakistan’s strong condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and denied any involvement by Pakistan in the Pahalgam attack. Dar also acknowledged the support from the United States, noting that President Donald Trump backs Pakistan’s counter-terrorism initiatives.
‘If they did not have faith in our efforts, they would not have cooperated as they have,’ Dar stated, alluding to Trump’s social media comment regarding ‘finding a solution’ to the Kashmir issue. Regarding the Indus Waters Treaty, which India has suspended unilaterally amid recent tensions, Dar cautioned that the already fragile ceasefire could be jeopardized ‘if the water issue is not addressed’ in the upcoming discussions. He emphasized that Pakistan’s stance is unequivocal: India must reinstate the treaty, as failure to do so ‘would constitute an act of war.’
