In a joint press conference with DG ISPR Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar briefed the media on the situation following the Pahalgam attack, warning that India’s irresponsible actions were pushing the region toward instability.

“The entire region is under threat due to India’s reckless behaviour,” he stated, adding that the tensions were a result of New Delhi’s provocations.

Speaking on the evolving regional security landscape and India’s escalating aggression along the Line of Control, Dar reiterated that Pakistan condemns terrorism in all its forms. “No cause can justify terrorism,” he said. Quoting the Quran, he stressed, “The killing of one innocent person is akin to killing all of humanity.” He added that Pakistan has suffered immensely from terrorism and remains committed to peace.

Dar said Pakistan had contacted multiple countries in the wake of the Pahalgam incident and alleged that India celebrates violence and bloodshed in the region. “We’ve lost thousands of lives and over $150 billion in the war against terror. Our brave agencies and citizens have made immense sacrifices for peace.”

Calling out India’s pattern of accusations, Dar said this was not the first time New Delhi had resorted to baseless rhetoric. “India repeatedly shifts focus from its failure in Kashmir and ongoing human rights violations by levelling unfounded allegations against Pakistan. For decades, India has engaged in state terrorism and imposed draconian laws in occupied Kashmir to suppress dissent.”

He said the August 5, 2019, move was in direct violation of UN Security Council resolutions. “India must answer why such incidents coincide with high-level diplomatic visits. The international community should take serious note of human rights violations in Kashmir and the use of Islamophobia against Kashmiris and Indian Muslims.”

Dar reiterated that Pakistan had no connection to the Pahalgam attack and demanded a transparent investigation. “We are willing to cooperate on terms of reference. But why is India manufacturing this crisis now? What is the real motive?” He also called India’s unilateral revocation of the Indus Waters Treaty illegal, saying, “This cannot be done without mutual consultation. Such a step shows India’s disregard for international norms.”

He warned that blocking Pakistan’s water supply would be considered an act of war. “Pakistan desires peace and regional stability. But we will defend our sovereignty if provoked. We have the right to respond in full measure.”

Ishaq Dar raises six questions for the International community to answer

Dar revealed that Pakistan had contacted and advised restraint. “We will not initiate any confrontation, but if India makes a move, our response will be severe.” He then raised six key questions for the global community:

1. Isn’t it time India was held accountable for the killings of civilians in Pakistan and elsewhere?
2. Shouldn’t there be a distinction between innocent victims and India’s aggressive posturing?
3. Isn’t India using propaganda to justify military aggression?
4. Will India’s disregard for international law not worsen regional instability?
5. Should the world not condemn Islamophobia and religious hatred promoted by India?
6. Are we ignoring the nuclear danger posed by India’s aggressive stance?

DG ISPR Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry’s factual and evidence-based remarks

DG ISPR Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif said the region in question is difficult terrain. “How did the police manage to reach the site, return, and register an FIR in such a short time?” He said the FIR accused handlers of crossing from Pakistan, and claimed indiscriminate firing took place, suggesting Muslims were targeted. “Terrorists have no religion. Interestingly, the strongest voices raising doubts about this attack are coming from within India.”

He cited suspicious posts by Indian accounts before the incident. “One said: ‘Tomorrow is a big day, so I’m sleeping early.’ Another posted ‘Good Morning Mianwali’ ahead of the Khwaja Fitna attack. The same account anticipated both the Jaafar Express bombing and the Pahalgam incident. It’s as if the attacks were scripted.”

He said India was using the incident to achieve several goals, including:

1. Cancelling the Indus Waters Treaty
2. Undermining Pakistan’s anti-terror efforts
3. Disrupting economic recovery
4. Gaining political mileage ahead of elections

The DG ISPR also said Indian prisons were turning into execution sites for Pakistani detainees. He named two Kashmiris, Farooq and Muhammad Deeni from Uri, who were killed in staged encounters. “Photos showed a pistol planted next to Farooq’s body and shiny shoes—proof the scene was staged. India must ask itself: Who is the real state terrorist?”

He reminded the audience of Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav and said Pakistan had witnessed 3,700 terrorist incidents since January 2024.

Indian citizens doubt their government, criticise Modi’s policies

Video clips of Indian citizens questioning their government were played during the press conference. One person said, “There are over a million Indian soldiers in Kashmir. If we share a social media post, we’re picked up overnight. Why wasn’t the army at the site of the attack?”

Another asked, “Who is responsible for security in Pahalgam? Isn’t this a government failure?” A Kashmiri youth said, “How did such a big attack happen without anyone noticing?” Others questioned the lack of army presence in a heavily militarised zone. “If this area is so secure, how did attackers enter and leave unnoticed?”

One citizen even alleged, “Our own agencies are behind these attacks.” A woman questioned why no attackers had been caught yet. “Do these people even run the government or the defence ministry?”