Pakistan Condemns Indian Attacks as ‘Acts of War’
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has strongly condemned recent Indian military aggression, describing it as a blatant act of war that gravely threatens regional peace. In a call with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Sharif stated that “Pakistan reserves the right to act in self-defence” in line with Article 51 of the United Nations Charter.
The conversation, held Thursday evening, came as Pakistan neutralized 25 Harop loitering drones supplied by Israel and deployed by India across multiple cities. The drone and missile attacks resulted in the death of at least 31 civilians and caused widespread damage to civilian infrastructure.
Sharif emphasized that India’s unprovoked military strikes were a serious breach of Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. “The people of Pakistan are outraged by India’s unprovoked acts of war,” he said, reiterating that the country stands ready to defend itself.
US Calls for De-escalation Amid Growing Crisis
Secretary Rubio responded by acknowledging the gravity of the situation and emphasized the United States’ commitment to peace and stability in South Asia. He urged both nations to exercise restraint and initiate dialogue to avoid further escalation.
Rubio also held discussions with Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar. According to US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce, the secretary “emphasised the need for immediate de-escalation” and “reiterated condolences for the horrific terrorist attack in Pahalgam.” He also reaffirmed Washington’s intent to work with India on counterterrorism.
Pakistan Engages EU, Reiterates Sovereignty Rights
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar spoke with EU High Representative Kaja Kallas to brief her on the unfolding situation.
Dar thanked the EU for its support and expressed disappointment over India’s “blatant act of war” that violated Pakistan’s sovereignty and threatened regional stability. He firmly rejected India’s allegations of targeting terrorist infrastructure, calling them unfounded and lacking credible evidence.
He reaffirmed that Pakistan reserves the right to respond at a time and place of its choosing, citing Article 51 of the UN Charter. Kallas offered condolences for the loss of civilian lives and urged both countries to prioritize dialogue and diplomacy.
