In a strong statement issued on Sunday, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar declared that Pakistan would deliver a decisive response to any form of Indian aggression, particularly following the Pahalgam attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). Speaking at a press conference alongside Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar in Islamabad, he warned that Pakistan’s sovereignty is non-negotiable and that any misadventure would be met with full strength.
The minister’s remarks come at a time of heightened tensions after the Pahalgam incident, which Pakistan has firmly condemned. Briefing foreign diplomats earlier, Tarar emphasized that while Pakistan remains a peace-loving nation, it will not hesitate to defend itself.
Tarar criticized India’s tactics, accusing it of using the incident to divert attention from its own involvement in state-sponsored terrorism. “We have undeniable evidence that India funds and arms terrorist groups to destabilize Pakistan,” he said.
The incident, despite the heavy presence of Indian forces in the region, exposes the vulnerability of India’s security claims, Tarar noted. He further accused India of attempting to escalate hostilities, particularly around the Indus Waters Treaty — an agreement that governs water-sharing between the two nations.
“Any move to block Pakistan’s water rights would be treated as an act of aggression,” he warned, labelling India’s approach as both “reckless and irresponsible.”
Highlighting Pakistan’s ongoing sacrifices in the fight against terrorism, Tarar reminded the world that Pakistan has paid a heavy price, losing over 90,000 lives. Despite these losses, he asserted that Pakistan’s security forces have achieved major victories against terrorism.
Tarar also questioned why India failed to condemn attacks such as the Jaffer Express hostage crisis, pointing to a double standard in its approach to terrorism. He cited the capture of Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav as clear evidence of India’s clandestine activities on Pakistani soil.
In a broader accusation, Tarar referenced alleged Indian involvement in the targeted killings of Sikh leaders abroad, mentioning incidents in Canada and the United States. “India’s global terrorism footprint is well-documented, and we possess concrete evidence,” he stated.
He further suggested that the Pahalgam incident was orchestrated to overshadow Pakistan’s achievements in counterterrorism. “It happened far from the Pakistan-India border. Why shift the blame onto us?” he questioned, also criticizing the unusually swift filing of an FIR against Pakistan.
Reaffirming Pakistan’s firm stance on the Indus Waters Treaty, Tarar warned that any unilateral action by India would be considered a direct threat. “Tampering with our water rights would be a red line,” he stressed.
In closing, Tarar underlined Pakistan’s commitment to international peace efforts. “We have consistently extended our cooperation globally and will continue to do so,” he said, adding that Pakistan was open to an impartial investigation into the Pahalgam incident.
He issued a final warning: “Pakistan’s resolve must never be underestimated. We will always defend our sovereignty with full force, just as we have throughout history.”
