- By Shivangi Sharma
- Wed, 30 Apr 2025 09:35 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Amid escalating tensions following the deadly Pahalgam terror attack, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has warned that while Pakistan will not initiate conflict, it will respond "very strongly" if provoked by India. His remarks came during a joint press conference in Islamabad alongside ISPR Director General Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry and Foreign Office Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan.
FM Dar stated that the entire South Asian region was at risk due to what he described as a “politically motivated and highly provocative environment” allegedly being fostered by India. “World leaders have been requesting restraint, and we have made it clear that Pakistan will not be the first to escalate. However, any provocation from India will be met with a strong response,” he warned.
Dar condemned the Pahalgam attack and expressed condolences for the victims, asserting that terrorism in all forms is unacceptable. “No cause or objective justifies the killing of innocent people,” he said, quoting the Quran’s teachings on the sanctity of human life.
Kashmir Dispute Remains Core Issue
According to Dar, the root cause of regional instability is the unresolved Jammu and Kashmir issue. “India’s illegal occupation of Kashmir, its defiance of UN Security Council resolutions, and its grave human rights violations are at the heart of the conflict,” he emphasised.
He criticised India for leveraging terrorist incidents to impose harsh laws in Kashmir and suppress dissent, particularly among Muslims. “These incidents are used to whip up domestic sentiment and pursue narrow political gains,” Dar said, also condemning the “Islamophobic narrative” being pushed in Indian discourse.
Tensions Mount After Deadly Pahalgam Attack
Relations between India and Pakistan have plunged to new lows after the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, which left 26 people dead. It was one of the deadliest attacks in recent years, drawing comparisons with the 2019 Pulwama attack. Pakistan has put its forces on high alert and continues to monitor the situation along the Line of Control amid fears of escalation.