ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has warned that India is attempting to drag the region toward war, but reaffirmed Pakistan’s stance of not taking the first step in any conflict.
Speaking at the "Regional Dialogue 2025" in Islamabad on Monday, Dar said, “We are alert, and if India commits aggression, we will respond forcefully.” He stressed that Pakistan remains committed to peace, but any act of war will be met with full strength.
Referring to the recent Pahalgam incident, in which at least 26 people were killed, Dar questioned India's narrative. He pointed out that an FIR was registered at a police station 45 minutes away, just 10 minutes after the incident. “India should not fool the world,” he said, rejecting accusations of Pakistan’s involvement and labeling them as baseless and unsupported by evidence.
He claimed the incident was part of a larger ploy to deflect attention from internal unrest and human rights abuses in several Indian states. Dar further cautioned that India is endangering millions of lives in the region through provocative actions.
On the issue of water, Dar stated that India has no authority to unilaterally suspend or terminate the Indus Waters Treaty. “We will not surrender even a single drop of our share of water,” he said, calling any such move a violation of international law and an “act of war.”
The foreign minister revealed that Indian aircraft attempted a misadventure on the night of April 29-30 but were quickly repelled by Pakistan’s armed forces. He reaffirmed that Pakistani soil will never be used for terrorism and urged the international community to recognize the severity of the regional situation and ensure the Kashmir issue is not ignored.
