Arshad Mahmood Awan
In a significant development on Wednesday, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, accompanied by Director-General of Inter-Services Public Relations Lt-Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, issued a stern warning to India, cautioning against any military misadventure. Dar emphasized that while Pakistan would not initiate any escalatory measures, it would respond decisively to any provocation. His remarks come amid rising tensions following the Pahalgam attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
The foreign minister highlighted Pakistan’s deep concerns over India’s destabilizing actions and inflammatory rhetoric in the wake of the April 22 incident. He strongly condemned the targeting of innocent civilians at Pahalgam and emphasized Pakistan’s empathy, stating that a country that has suffered greatly at the hands of terrorism understands the pain such violence inflicts. Dar further clarified that Pakistan had condemned the Pahalgam attack at multiple forums, including the United Nations Security Council, where a responsible party is present. He also mentioned that Pakistan’s highest security forum, the National Security Committee (NSC), had condemned the attack and that Pakistan had denounced terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
The foreign minister’s statement is a response to attempts to paint Pakistan as complicit or indifferent. Some analysts believe Pakistan was compelled to restate its position after U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged Pakistan to denounce the attack and cooperate in an investigation. In a phone call with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Rubio reportedly emphasized the need for condemnation and de-escalation. In a separate call with Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Rubio expressed solidarity with India and advised caution. Experts suggest that Washington may be playing a mediating role to prevent conflict, amid fears that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi could order a cross-border strike into Pakistani territory.
Please subscribe to the YouTube channel of republicpolicy.com for quality podcasts:
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar had earlier stated that Pakistan had “credible intelligence” suggesting India was planning a military strike within the next 24 to 36 hours. This unusually timed statement would not have been made without serious intelligence backing. The heightened tensions have led to increased military activities near the border and a series of retaliatory measures from both nations.
Across the border, Indian media outlets began pointing fingers at Pakistan and clamoring for retaliation within minutes of the Pahalgam attack. This kind of rhetoric only fuels tensions and threatens the fragile stability of the South Asian region. At home, India has also turned its aggression inward, targeting its Muslim minority – especially Kashmiris – with renewed hostility. This is symptomatic of a government whose anti-Muslim bigotry is no longer covert but instead is unapologetically institutionalized.
The international community must recognize that Pakistan, so far, has responded with restraint, grace, and a commitment to international norms. India, in contrast, continues to display belligerence. The unilateral use of force without evidence or justification is not only reckless but also illegal under international law. A war between two nuclear-armed neighbors would have catastrophic consequences, not only for the region but also for the global economy. The people of both countries would bear the brunt of any conflict, with their economies, livelihoods, and futures jeopardized by the actions of a few.
Both nations, particularly India, must exercise caution and responsibility. Peace, diplomacy, and mutual respect remain the only viable options for long-term stability in South Asia.
