Breaking his silence amid rising tensions with India, a visibly concerned Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated that Pakistan was open to a “neutral and transparent investigation” into the Pahalgam terror attack, while warning that the country was fully prepared to respond to any aggression.
‘Pak willing to cooperate in any impartial probe’ says Shariff
“Pakistan is willing to cooperate in any impartial and transparent probe. Peace remains our first choice, but we will never compromise on our sovereignty or security,” Sharif declared.
His comments marked a shift from the more aggressive rhetoric expressed by other Pakistani officials in recent days, some of whom accused India of “orchestrating” the Pahalgam attack to manufacture a regional crisis.
India hits Pakistan on Pahalgam attack, Pakistan also responds
The Pahalgam attack, which left 26 tourists dead in Kashmir’s Baisaran Valley—a popular destination often referred to as ‘mini Switzerland’—was one of the deadliest in recent memory and was attributed to Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists.
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India, indirectly blaming Pakistan for the assault, responded with a series of firm measures: suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, halting visa issuance to Pakistani nationals, downgrading diplomatic ties, and sealing the Wagah-Attari border.
In response, Pakistan introduced reciprocal steps, including closing its airspace to Indian-owned and operated aircraft.
Sharif warns India on Indus Water Treaty suspension
Regarding the treaty suspension, Sharif issued a stern warning, saying any effort to curtail or redirect Pakistan’s share of the Indus waters would be met with a “full-force response.”
“No one should labor under any illusions,” Sharif said. “Our armed forces are fully prepared and capable of defending the nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity—just as they demonstrated through their firm and calibrated response to India’s incursion in February 2019.”
