ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar said on Wednesday that India has failed to present credible evidence regarding the Pahalgam attack even after one year, raising serious concerns over the transparency of the investigation.
In a televised statement marking the anniversary of the incident, Tarar described the Pahalgam episode as a “false flag operation,” alleging that it reflects what he termed an irrational and baseless narrative against Pakistan. He questioned how Indian authorities handled the case, particularly highlighting the rapid registration of the First Information Report (FIR).
According to the minister, the FIR was reportedly filed within 10 minutes of the attack, despite the considerable distance between the police station and the incident site in Pahalgam. He suggested that such swift action raises doubts and points toward the possibility that the report may have been prepared in advance.
Tarar further stated that concerns regarding the incident have also been raised by international media outlets, as well as by certain Indian politicians and civil society members. These concerns include questions about the lack of adequate security arrangements at the location and the absence of a transparent and impartial investigation.
The information minister criticized the government led by Narendra Modi for leveling allegations against Pakistan without presenting verifiable proof. He reiterated Pakistan’s stance of solidarity with the victims while also calling for an independent and impartial probe into the incident.
Tarar noted that Shehbaz Sharif had previously offered cooperation for a neutral investigation, emphasizing that Pakistan remains open to any transparent international inquiry. He added that India’s reluctance to accept such an offer further raises questions about the credibility of its claims.
The minister also criticized sections of Indian media for allegedly promoting unverified narratives without substantial evidence. He stated that India has struggled to present a convincing case at the international level regarding the Pahalgam attack.
Concluding his remarks, Tarar accused India of projecting internal challenges as external threats while treating internationally recognized disputes, including Jammu and Kashmir, as internal matters.
