PM Shehbaz Emphasizes Peace, Rejects Allegations Over Pahalgam Attack
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday underlined Pakistan’s measured and responsible stance in the face of escalating tensions with India following the April 22 Pahalgam incident, which claimed the lives of 26 people. While India has attempted to implicate Pakistan without providing any evidence, Pakistan has firmly rejected these claims and called for a credible, transparent, and neutral international investigation.
During a meeting with Turkish Ambassador Dr. Irfan Neziroglu, PM Shehbaz reiterated Pakistan’s principled opposition to terrorism in all forms and highlighted that India had yet to respond to Pakistan’s proposal for an impartial probe. The Prime Minister welcomed Turkiye’s potential participation in the investigation and stressed that Pakistan remained committed to fully cooperating with any credible effort to establish the facts.
PM Shehbaz also drew attention to Pakistan’s vast sacrifices in counter-terrorism, including over 90,000 casualties and economic losses exceeding $152 billion. He warned that India’s baseless accusations and aggressive posture risk derailing Pakistan’s ongoing counter-terrorism efforts and broader regional stability.
2. Diplomatic Push: FM Dar Engages Global Counterparts
In a parallel diplomatic push, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar engaged with his counterparts in Greece and Switzerland to brief them on India’s actions and reaffirm Pakistan’s commitment to peace and regional stability.
FM Dar strongly condemned India’s unilateral suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, labeling it a blatant violation of international obligations. In calls with Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis and Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis, Dar emphasized Pakistan’s offer for an impartial international investigation and reiterated Islamabad’s desire for peace, while reserving its right to defend its sovereignty.
Both European diplomats appreciated Pakistan’s responsible approach and expressed support for de-escalation. Switzerland also offered its good offices to facilitate an impartial probe, highlighting the growing international interest in preventing a potential regional crisis.
3. AJK PM Warns of Indian Attempts to Destabilize Region
In a separate development, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq accused India of conspiring to destabilize the region. Speaking at the All Parties Kashmir Conference, he warned that any Indian aggression would be met with a robust response and urged the political leadership in Pakistan to unite in solidarity with the armed forces.
Highlighting the historical significance of the Kashmir struggle, PM Haq underscored the importance of national unity in the face of external threats. He stated that India’s recent actions had undone the post-August 2019 political situation, bringing the Kashmir issue back to the global forefront.
PM Haq also expressed willingness to support protest demonstrations if initiated by the All Parties Kashmir Conference and called for an open debate on how best to advance the Kashmir cause moving forward.
