• Foreign minister says Islamabad will not escalate, but will respond ‘strongly’ to any attack, reiterates demand for transparent probe
• Army spokesperson says Pakistan will determine trajectory of conflict if India chooses path of ‘military confrontation’

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Wednesday said it would exercise restraint in the face of heightened tensions with India but warned it would respond “strongly” and “decisively” if attacked, invoking its right to self-defence under international law.

“Pakistan will not be the first one to resort to any escalatory move; however, in case of any escalatory move by the Indian side, we will respond very strongly,” Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said during a joint media briefing with military and Foreign Office spokespersons.

Mr Dar said a similar message had been communicated to the international partners. “Any misadventure will be responded to in a befitting and decisive manner at the time and place of our choosing.”

The media briefing was held to share Pakistan’s policy position and counter the “false narrative” from India about Pakistan’s alleged involvement in April 22 Pahalgam attack in which 26 people lost their lives.

The briefing came a day after the government, in a late-night statement, claimed it had “credible information” suggesting India was planning a military action against Pakistan within the next 24 to 36 hours. According to Mr Dar, the “credible intelligence” had prompted Islamabad to issue a categorical warning.

“Our response would be befitting, decisive and assured,” said military spokesman Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry. “We are ready for all eventualities. If they choose military confrontation, that would be their choice, but we would then determine its (conflict’s) future direction.”

Gen Chaudhry emphasised that Pakistan’s armed forces were fully capable and prepared to defend the country across all domains. “We are vigilant and our response and counter-measures would be appropriate and decisive,” he said.

Moreover, the foreign minister reiterated Pakistan’s position that it had no involvement in the Pahalgam incident and called for an impartial international investigation to establish the facts. “We demand an independent and transparent probe by neutral investigators as announced by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Any ToRs in this regard should be credible and mutually agreed,” he said.

He dismissed Indian allegations as “preposterous” and part of a broader disinformation strategy. “It is preposterous to even suggest any kind of association of Pakistan with this incident,” he said. “Pakistan has nothing to do with the Pahalgam incident. Period.”

Gen Chaudhry echoed the demand for independent verification, stating, “We have strong evidence and empirical facts. That’s why we are demanding an independent investigation. Independent, credible and transparent investigators need to see the evidence, which can be forensically checked.”

Responding to offers of mediation from countries including Saudi Arabia and Iran, Mr Dar said mediation was not required. “Mediation is not required; investigations are needed,” he stated firmly.

He also condemned Indian rhetoric and actions in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack, saying it had created a “politically motivated and highly provocative environment”.

“The entire region is facing a serious threat to its peace and stability,” he said. “The hype that is created on each and every incident in India seems to be deliberate and choreographed.”

He criticised India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty as illegal and unilateral. “There are no such provisions in the treaty. It cannot be amended or terminated without consensus,” he said, warning that such actions “strike at a fundamental pillar of regional cooperation”.

The foreign minister said Pakistan remained committed to peace but retained the right to self-defence under Article 51 of the UN Charter. “Pakistan believes in restraint and remains committed to regional peace and stability. However, in case of any act of aggression Pakistan remains determined to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

The foreign minister urged international friends and partners to help ensure peace and de-escalation. “Escala­tion can take any direction; therefore, friends should ensure peace and stability,” he said.

He also emphasised that Pakistan had strongly condemned the incident, noting that a misleading narrative about Islamabad not denouncing the attack was being propagated by the Indians.

FO Spokesman Shafqat Ali Khan, on this occasion, asked how did the police register the report of the incident within ten minutes of the incident, even though the nearest police station was located 30 minutes away. The hastily registered report pointed fingers at Pakistan, he added.

Published in Dawn, May 1st, 2025