Pakistan-India escalation

Indians are cancelling holidays in popular resorts in Turkiye and Azerbaijan after the two countries supported Pakistan during the recent conflict, two booking firms say.

Turkiye and Azerbaijan, popular budget holiday destinations for Indians, issued statements backing Islamabad after India’s air strikes last week.

“Bookings for Azerbaijan and Turkiye decreasing by 60 per cent (over the last week) while cancellations have surged by 250pc during the same period,” a spokesperson for MakeMyTrip said.

EaseMyTrip Chief Executive Officer Rikant Pittie said the platform had seen a 22pc rise in cancellations for Turkiye and 30pc for Azerbaijan “due to recent geopolitical tensions”. Travellers had switched to Georgia, Serbia, Greece, Thailand and Vietnam, he added.

Another ticketing platform, ixigo, earlier said in a post on X that it would be suspending flight and hotel bookings for Turkiye, Azerbaijan and China.

EaseMyTrip’s founder and chairman, Nishant Pitti, said in a post on X that 287,000 Indians visited Turkiye last year and 243,000 visited Azer­baijan. “When these nations openly support Pakistan, should we fuel their tourism and their economies?” Pitti said.

National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq has visited hospitals in Rawalpindi to inquire about the health of soldiers and civilians injured during the recent escalations between Pakistan and India.

During his visit, Sadiq praised the bravery and unwavering resolve of the armed forces in defending Pakistan’s territorial integrity and thwarting the enemy’s nefarious designs. He honoured the sacrifices made by the nation’s defenders and innocent civilians in the face of aggression.

“The entire nation stands united behind our brave armed forces and resilient civilians in this challenging time,” he stated.

The NA speaker also commended the medical staff at CMH Rawalpindi for their dedication and efforts in providing exemplary care to the wounded.

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PM Shehbaz has said it is up to India to choose war or peace in relations with Pakistan.

“We are ready for war and peace. Choice is yours,” he said.

PM Shehbaz also warned India from stopping water flow after it held the Indus Water Treaty in abeyance. “If you stop our water, then it is the red line. Water is our right. The brave, valiant forces will fight for our right,” he said.

The prime minister said the Kashmir issue should be resolved as per the United Nations resolutions and then talks will be held on trade. He said trade talks cannot be held in isolation but rather through a comprehensive dialogue.

He said Pakistan has called for a complete and partial investigation into the Pahalgam attack and agreed to fully cooperate, but India responded by attacking in the dark of night and received a befitting reply.

PM Shehbaz said India attacked Pakistan’s water resources at Neelum Jhelum, but the government showed restraint. He said the armed forces have the ability to destroy India’s Baglihar and other water projects.

PM Shehbaz has said that Pakistan’s military and soldiers had dealt a severe psychological blow to India.

“The enemy, which is bigger than us, took pride that it has billions worth of military equipment. You have turned their arrogance to dust and dealt a lethal blow,” he said while addressing soldiers at Pasrur Cantonment.

“India used to think Pakistan was way behind in conventional warfare, but the way you have fought this war proves that we are competitive in traditional and technical warfare,” he said.

President Asif Ali Zardari has visited soldiers and civilians injured by Indian attacks at Combined Military Hospital Rawalpindi to ask after their health.

He met the injured individually and praised their bravery, sacrifice and patriotism.

“The Pakistani nation has resolutely confronted the enemy’s aggression. India’s attitude is aggressive, extremist, and a threat to regional peace.

“The Hindutva ideology poses severe threats to the security of the entire region. The Modi government seeks to use aggression against Pakistan for political purposes. We will not allow any harm to Pakistan’s sovereignty and national security,” the PPP said in a post on X.

PM Shehbaz has said India “deliberately evaded” the path of taking up Pakistan’s offer for neutral investigations into the Pahalgam incident.

“They had nothing to prove and based on a false pretext and bloated arrogance and ego, launched the offensive, for which it has got a very befitting response,” the premier said.

He said India’s “blatant aggression” against innocent civilians, resulting in the deaths of children, women and the elderly while calling them terrorists, was “utterly shameful” and against all international laws, norms and morality.

Mehbooba Mufti, the former chief minister of Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, urged all political parties in India to unite and reach out to the people of Jammu and Kashmir to find ways to restore peace in the region.

During a visit to Poonch in held Kashmir, she said the Indian central government should look at Kashmir not from a terror but rather from a humanitarian angle and find solutions to restore peace.

“Kashmir should not just be seen from a terror or security perspective but a humanitarian perspective,” she said, adding that solutions should be found from a humanitarian aspect.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has praised the “exceptional bravery and professionalism” during Operation Bunyanum Marsoos, state broadcaster PTV News reports.

The premier visited Sialkot’s Pasrur Cantonment in tow with federal ministers and the army and air force chiefs.

“The valiant armed forces of Pakistan, fortified by the unwavering resolve of the nation, defended the motherland in a heroic manner and dealt a decisive blow to the adversary’s dastardly aggression. History will eternally record, how within few hours, Pakistan’s defenders extinguished India’s unprovoked aggression with unmatched precision and resolve,” he said.

World Bank President Ajay Banga has said that there is no provision in the Indus Water Treaty (IWT) for suspension, in an interview with Indian broadcaster CNBC-TV18.

Speaking in New Delhi, he said, “There is no provision in the treaty to allow to be suspended, the way it (IWT) was drawn up, it either needs to be gone or it needs to be replaced by another one. That requires the two countries to want to agree.

“The treaty is not suspended, it’s technically called something in abeyance, is how the Indian government worded it.”

Article XII of the IWT makes it clear that it can only be modified by mutual agreement

Elaborating on the World Bank’s role, Banga explained, “The World Bank’s role is basically that of a facilitator if they disagree — not by us making a decision — but by us being the party that goes through a process to find a neutral expert or an arbitrator court to settle it.”

He further elaborated that the World Bank also has to pay for the process from a trust fund established during the treaty’s inception to cover the fees of potential arbitrators.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has said the country appreciates Pakistan’s “sensible, patient policy that prioritises dialogue and reconciliation in resolving disputes”.

“The Turkey-Pakistan brotherhood, which is granted to very few nations in the world, is one of the finest examples of true friendship.

“As Turkey, we attach great importance to Pakistan’s peace, tranquillity and stability,” he said in a post on X.

He added that Turkiye would continue to stand by Pakistan in the good times and the bad in the future.

Pakistan has seemingly used Chinese jets to shoot down India’s planes, which has shown China’s military capabilities and has implications for Western allies like Taiwan, British publication The Guardian reports, citing military analysts.

Pakistan said it had shot down several Indian Air Force fighter jets with Chinese-made missiles fired from Chinese-made J10-C jets, The Guardian said, which has since been confirmed by US officials to Reuters and by French officials to CNN.

“The use of J-10Cs by Pakistan would mark the first time the Chinese planes — and the PL-15 missiles they were carrying — have been used in combat anywhere in the world, giving military analysts a rare glimpse of their capabilities, and China’s military, the PLA, a crucial test case,” the British newspaper said.

Andrew Small, a Berlin-based senior fellow at the German Marshall Fund, told The Guardian that China gets particular benefit from seeing its weapons used against Western equivalents.

“It gives them a chance to assess their performance under far more complex and challenging conditions than usual, and with Pakistan, this is not just about the fighter jets themselves, it’s about the missiles, the radar systems, and the whole technology spine of the Pakistani military, from electronic warfare capabilities to satellite systems,” he was quoted as saying.

Yun Sun, director of the China programme at the Stimson Centre, was quoted as saying that “technically, India did not use American weapon systems during this round.

“But the surprising victory of Chinese J-10 and PL-15 [missiles] will force people to reconsider the military balance of power in the event of a Taiwan contingency.”

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President Asif Ali Zardari has expressed deep sorrow over the martyrdom of two more personnel, who succumbed to injuries sustained during Indian aggression.

In a statement issued by the President House, Zardari offered heartfelt condolences on the martyrdom of Havaldar Muhammad Naveed Shehzad of the Pakistan Army and Senior Technician Muhammad Ayaz of the Pakistan Air Force.

He paid tribute to the martyred soldiers, acknowledging their dedicated service and great sacrifice for the nation.

“Our martyrs are our invaluable assets. We will never forget their sacrifices,” he said. “The nation would forever be indebted to the martyrs and their families.”

He also prayed for the elevation of their ranks, as well as for strength and patience for the bereaved families.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, referring to her party, has said “We are not the people of May 9, we are the people of May 10 and 28.”

She was referring to the May 9 riots, the nuclear tests of May 28, 1998, and the completion of Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos on May 10.

“The enemy state doesn’t look at us with an evil eye because it knows Pakistan is a nuclear power,” she said, adding, “On May 28, 1998, we defeated the enemy 6-5 and on May 10, 2025, we defeated the enemy 6-0.”

She also thanked Army Chief Gen Asim Munir, Pakistan Air Force Chief ACM Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu, former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, and every officer who helped Pakistan achieve this historic victory.

World Bank President Ajay Banga has said that the World Bank does not have any role in fixing the Indus Waters Treaty, in an exclusive interview with CNBC-TV18.

Addressing media speculation over whether the World Bank will intervene, he said, “It’s all bunk because we don’t have that role to play”.

“I haven’t heard from either country yet about anything to do with the Indus Water Treaty. So that’s exactly where it is,” Banga said.

He urged the media to take a look at the treaty and realise that “the treaty is a treaty between two sovereign nations and they have to decide whether that’s what they want to continue with. It’s their decision.”

Banga pointed out that the treaty has worked for 60 years through “ups and downs,” although not perfectly, he added.

“I just think this is a topic for the countries to decide. And the World Bank’s role is what the World Bank’s role is as defined in the treaty. No more and no less,” stated Banga.

The number of personnel martyred defending the country during Pakistan’s recent military confrontation with India has risen to 13, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) says.

“Indian Armed Forces blatant and cowardly aggression which was launched on the night of 6-7 May 2025, targeted innocent civilians, including women, children, and the elderly,” the ISPR recalled, referring to the unprovoked strikes on six locations in the country.

“While defending the motherland with exemplary courage and unwavering resolve, two more valiant sons of the soil embraced martyrdom today, who were hospitalised, bringing the total number of martyred personnel of the Pakistan Armed Forces to 13,” the ISPR stated in its press release.

The military’s media wing added that 78 personnel have “sustained injuries in the line of duty”.

The ISPR said: “The martyred heroes are Havaldar Muhammad Naveed Shaheed of the Pakistan Army and Senior Technician Muhammad Ayaz Shaheed of the Pakistan Air Force.

“Their noble sacrifice stands as a timeless testament to their courage, devotion to duty, and unshakeable patriotism […] Their sacrifice will forever remain etched in the nation’s collective memory, inspiring generations to come,” the military stressed.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry has alleged that India has been involved in fostering terrorism in Pakistan, of which the country has been a victim for decades, reports state-owned PTV News.

While expressing his views on a point of objection in the National Assembly, the minister said that the security forces are taking action against terrorists under the National Action Plan, and the nation has sacrificed millions of lives in this war.

Chaudhary said the Pakistani media played a vibrant role in disseminating accurate information to the public during the recent tensions with India.

“The vibrant Pakistani media accurately portrayed the situation to the international community,” he said.

PTI Founder Imran Khan has applauded the people and the armed forces for their response to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “cowardice”.

“I have always said, ‘mulk bhi mera, fauj bhi meri’ (this country is mine, and so is the army). Just as our soldiers defeated Modi on both aerial and ground fronts, the people of Pakistan, especially on social media, exposed and dismantled Modi and the RSS’s narrative at a global level,” Imran was quoted as saying on his X account, to which he does not have direct access.

“By targeting innocent civilians such as children, women, the elderly, and civilian infrastructure in Pakistan, Modi displayed cowardice,” he added, saying that Pakistani forces responded with strength and precision.

“We stand in full solidarity with the families of both civilians and military personnel who were martyred in these cowardly attacks,” Imran said, paying a tribute to the Pakistan Air Force and all military personnel for their professionalism and outstanding performance.

“Unlike Modi, who targets civilians and public infrastructure, our forces successfully hit only the aircraft and installations directly involved in the attacks,” the PTI founder said, adding that Modi harbours a “deep hatred for Pakistan”.

Sindh Transport Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon has pointed out that while Pakistan has appreciated US President Donald Trump’s role in the India-Pakistan ceasefire, India has not done the same.

Memon told a press briefing: “Being a peaceful nation, we welcome the peace efforts of President Trump. On the other hand, India has not even acknowledged the wonderful role played by the president.

“Not only this, they have attacked the president (Trump) for stopping […] the application of military instruments,” the Sindh minister added.

“Pakistan wants peace. Modi manufactures and exports hate.”

Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon has termed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the “butcher of South Asia”.

Referring to former foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari’s widely-reported remarks, Memon said: “He said the butcher of Gujrat is the butcher of Kashmir.

“And it’s proved. Now I will say that Mr Narendra Modi is a butcher of South Asia because there could have been serious results of the war that Modi initiated.”

Recalling Pakistan’s offer of a neutral probe into the Pahalgam attack, Memon said India refused that proposal and called it a “security failure” of the Indian army and intelligence.

Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon has said that India is being “isolated” on the international level, noting that it faced a “historic defeat” by Pakistan.

“India and terrorist organisations possibly have shared interests, which can weaken Western countries’ efforts against terrorism,” he said during a press conference in Karachi.

Memon alleged that India was a “beneficiary” of Pakistan’s war against terrorism.

India’s Congress party has sought the removal of a Madhya Pradesh minister over his remarks about Indian Army Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, who held multiple press briefings during the recent Pakistan-India military conflict.

Kunwar Vijay Shah, who holds the Tribal Welfare and Bhopal Gas Tragedy Relief and Rehabilitation portfolios, made the remarks at an event in Mhow, following which Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge demanded that Shah be sacked immediately.

“First, they trolled the wife of the naval officer martyred in Pahalgam on social media, then harassed the daughter of [Foreign Secretary Vikram] Misri and now, BJP ministers are making such indecent comments about our braveheart Sofiya Qureshi,” Kharge said on X.

“[Prime Minister Narendra] Modi ji should immediately dismiss such a minister,” the Congress leader added.

Pakistan and India have exchanged one prisoner each — both security personnel — at the Wagah-Attari border, state broadcaster PTV News reports.

Muhammadullah of the Pakistan Rangers was handed over to Pakistani officials, the report quoted security sources as saying.

On the other hand, Constable Purnam Kumar Shaw, a member of the Indian Border Security Fo­­rce who was detained after crossing the border in Kasur district in late April, was returned to Indian officials.

Shaw had been in the custody of Pakistan Rangers since April 23, according to a statement from the Indian army. Several media outlets also reported on the BSF man’s return.

The Indian Express quoted the BSF as saying: “The handover was conducted peacefully and in accordance with established protocols.”

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has visited the Holy Family Hospital in Rawalpindi to inquire about the well-being of Tauqir Abbas, a worker injured near the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium as a result of a drone sent by India last week.

According to a post by the interior ministry, Abbas was the cousin of Ali Haider, who lost his life due to an Indian drone crashing and injuring him.

Haider was the only brother of eight sisters.