Islamabad – 30 April 2025: Pakistan rejects Indian blame linking it to the April 22 Pahalgam attack in Indian-administrated Kashmir and warned India against any military provocation, vowing a strong response if necessary.
Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif addressed a joint press conference in Islamabad on Wednesday. Pakistan rejects Indian blame, condemned terrorism, extended condolences to victims and questioned India’s “familiar pattern” of blame without evidence.
At least 26 people were killed in the Pahalgam attack. “No cause justifies killing innocent people,” Dar said. “We condemn terrorism in all its forms — this is both our national and Islamic policy.”
Pakistan called for a neutral, independent investigation and highlighted its own record as a terrorism victim. “Over 80,000 Pakistanis have died, and the economic toll exceeds $500 billion,” Dar stated. “It’s preposterous to link Pakistan to this incident.”
DG ISPR Gen Sharif affirmed Pakistan’s military readiness. “We seek peace, but any Indian aggression will be met with a decisive response,” he said, confirming increased troop vigilance.
Pakistan also condemned India’s threat to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty, calling it “illegal” and equating it to an act of war. “Water is a lifeline. Tampering with the treaty would violate international law and provoke a national response,” Dar warned.
Dar criticized India’s disinformation campaigns, citing the Pulwama incident as a similar case of unfounded accusations. “India uses terrorism allegations to shift focus from Kashmir and stir internal sentiment,” he noted.
He added that India’s actions undermine regional stability. “The root cause of conflict in South Asia is the unresolved Jammu and Kashmir dispute,” Dar said.
The leadership reaffirmed unity across political lines and institutions. “Pakistan will defend its sovereignty with full force,” Gen Sharif concluded.
