ISLAMABAD, Wednesday, April 30, 2025 (WNP): Pakistan on Wednesday reiterated that it would not initiate hostilities but warned of a strong and resolute response to any aggression from India, amid escalating tensions following the recent Pahalgam incident in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, addressing a high-profile joint press conference alongside Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry and Foreign Office Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan, said Pakistan’s armed forces were fully alert and prepared to defend the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

“Pakistan will not be the first to initiate any escalation. However, any provocative move by India will be met with a strong and appropriate response,” Dar emphasized, calling on world leaders to take notice of the deteriorating regional environment.

Rejecting Indian allegations that blamed Pakistan for the deadly attack in Pahalgam—without presenting any credible evidence—Dar called for an impartial, transparent investigation by neutral international investigators. “Pakistan has no connection to the incident, nor would it stand to benefit from such an act. These accusations are politically motivated and timed to derail regional stability,” he added.

The foreign minister questioned the motive behind India’s swift blame game, especially when Pakistan is making progress in stabilizing its economy and combating terrorism.

Dar strongly criticized India’s unilateral suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), calling it illegal and in violation of international norms. He noted that the treaty does not permit unilateral amendments or termination, and disputes must be addressed through its established mechanisms.

“Pakistan is an agrarian economy. Millions rely on the waters governed by the IWT. Any attempt to obstruct or divert Pakistan’s rightful water share will be considered an act of war,” he warned, citing the National Security Committee’s recent directives.

Calling India’s actions reckless and destabilizing, Dar said New Delhi was creating a dangerously provocative atmosphere in the region. “Indian media and politicians are fueling anti-Pakistan narratives for narrow political gains, dragging the entire region into a crisis,” he said.

He reiterated that no political or ideological cause justifies the killing of innocent civilians. “Pakistan, itself a victim of terrorism, condemns the loss of lives in the Pahalgam incident and stands with the victims. With over 80,000 lives lost and economic damages exceeding $150 billion, Pakistan understands the pain of such tragedies,” he added.

Dar also revealed that he had spoken to several foreign ministers and global leaders to apprise them of the situation and Pakistan’s principled stance.

Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said the Pakistan Armed Forces were fully prepared to respond to any aggression. He questioned India’s narrative surrounding the Pahalgam incident, noting the implausibility of filing an FIR just 10 minutes after the attack in a remote area located 230 km from the Line of Control.

“Indian allegations lack logic and evidence. India is attempting to manufacture a false narrative against Pakistan to justify its internal failures and external aggression,” he said, adding that Indian intelligence-linked social media accounts had a pattern of making suspicious predictions before major attacks in Pakistan, including in Mianwali, Karachi, and the Jafar Express tragedy.

He accused India of orchestrating over 3,000 terror attacks in Pakistan since 2024 and warned of a broader hybrid warfare campaign designed to destabilize the country through propaganda and coordinated violence.

“Pakistan remains the last bulwark against regional terrorism. Our institutions and the entire nation stand united in defending the country and countering foreign-sponsored threats,” he concluded.

Responding to questions, Dar said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is “leading from the front,” actively coordinating with national institutions and chairing the National Security Committee amid the ongoing situation. He also confirmed that Pakistan’s re-engagement with Afghanistan has yielded positive outcomes on political, trade, and humanitarian fronts.

Dar noted that China has expressed support for Pakistan’s position and has offered an independent investigation into the Pahalgam attack, further reinforcing Islamabad’s call for transparency.