Islamabad:
Pakistan said on Wednesday that it has nothing to do with the terror attack of the Pahalgam and threatened a strong reaction if it is “provoked”, in the midst of rising tensions with India.
In the direction of a press conference alongside Army spokesperson LT Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry and spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Shafqat Ali Khan, Ishaq Dar demanded an independent and transparent probe by neutral researchers in the Pahalgam attack.
The press conference came hours after the Minister of Information Ataullah Tarar warned a possible military action by India in 24-36 hours.
Earlier Defense Minister Khawaja Asif said that escalation is still increasing, despite the efforts of the international community to calm the temperature.
Tensions between India and Pakistan escalated after terrorists killed 26 people, mainly tourists, in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam on April 22.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi told the Top Defense Brass on Tuesday that the forces have “full operational freedom” to decide on the mode, goals and timing of India's response to the Pahalgam attack.
“Pakistan condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. No cause or objective can justify that the lives of innocent people take the taking of innocent people,” said Mr. Dar, read a written statement.
“We are worried about the loss of life during the Pahalgam attack. We are also expanding our condolences,” said Mr. Dar.
“Pakistan has nothing to do with it (Pahalgam attack) and we said that from the start,” he said.
Dar said Pakistan believes in restraint. “In the case of every act of aggression, Pakistan remains determined to defend his sovereignty and territorial integrity,” he said.
Lt Gen Chaudhry said, “We are ready, don't test ourselves”.
Dar said that the entire region had a serious threat to peace and stability.
“The world leaders have asked in recent days to have the exercise of restraint. I have made it very clear, on behalf of the government and the nation, that Pakistan will not be the first to resort to an escalatoiral movement. In the case of an escalating move by the Indian side, we will respond very strongly,” he said.
Mr. Dar said that Pakistan's national security committee had made it clear that any attempt to stop or distract the flow of water from Pakistan, according to the Indus water treaty and the usurpation of the rights of the lower bank, would be considered a “war act”.
In response to a question, Mr. Dar said that the use of nuclear weapons would be determined by the National Command Authority.
(Except for the headline, this story was not edited by DailyExpertNews staff and has been published from a syndicated feed.)
