FO spokesperson has said that a number of countries across the world, along with international bodies such as the United Nations and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation had called for restraint during the last two weeks.

“It is highly deplorable that India did not pay heed to these calls,” he said at a press briefing. “The international community should hold India accountable for its irresponsible, unlawful and belligerent conduct.”

He recalled that the foreign secretary of India made a number of accusations against Pakistan yesterday. “I wish to set the record straight.”

Firstly, Ambas­sador Shafqat Ali Khan said the assertion that Pakistan escalated the situation through the Pahalgam attack was “totally absurd”. “Till date, India has not been able to produce any credible evidence to support that,” he stated, adding that the acts of aggression conducted by the Indian armed forces had the support of the entire country and “thus it is India that has escalated the situation by violating Pakistan’s sovereignty and killing civilians”.

The FO spokesperson pointed out that Pakistan did not attack Pahalgam but Indian forces did attack several areas in the country. “Pakistan reserves the right to take all measures in its self-defence as enshrined in the UN charter.”