Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, alongside Director-General (DG) Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, expressed profound concerns regarding India’s aggressive stance in the aftermath of the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
During an urgent press conference on Wednesday, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar reiterated Pakistan’s unequivocal denial of any involvement in the attack.
“Pakistan condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. No cause or objective can possibly justify the taking of innocent lives. This is our national policy, and it is also our Islamic belief — as per the Holy Quran, the killing of one human being is akin to the killing of all humanity,” he stated.
“And saving a life is tantamount to saving all of humanity. We firmly believe in this. Let me emphasize that the targeting of innocent civilians is utterly condemnable and deplorable. This is occurring in various parts of the world, and we are consistently expressing our views and policies wherever it happens.”
“We have conveyed our concern over the loss of lives in the Pahalgam attack. As a nation that has itself suffered immensely from terrorism, we have also extended our condolences. No one can comprehend the pain of those affected as deeply as Pakistan.”
“As a member of the UN Security Council, Pakistan has constructively engaged with other member states on the press statement issued by the UN Security Council concerning the Pahalgam incident in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.”
“The UN Security Council’s statement unequivocally condemns the incident in the strongest possible terms. Conversely, it is India that glorifies and even celebrates its assassination campaigns and its sponsorship of terrorism within Pakistan and other nations.”
“We have been working closely with the international community to address this shared threat. Since the 22nd of April, the Foreign Office has been actively engaged in discussions with the international community. I have personally been in contact with at least a dozen foreign ministers, deputy prime ministers, and the prime minister, and I have discussed and explained the situation with them.”
“I am confident that, given your profession in the media, you are already well-informed. Following each interaction with any dignitary, we issue a concise statement regarding the discussion. Countless sacrifices have been made by our valiant law enforcement agencies (LEAs) as well as ordinary citizens, which have been instrumental in addressing the threat of terrorism and contributing to regional and international peace and stability.”
“Indeed, Pakistan has been a victim of terrorism that is planned, orchestrated, and sponsored by India. Against this backdrop, it is preposterous to even suggest any association of Pakistan with this incident. The excessive attention and hype surrounding every incident in India appear deliberate and choreographed.”
“It is regrettable that India continues to exploit unsubstantiated accusations and allegations as part of its disinformation strategy for narrow political gains. This is not the first instance of India resorting to such tactics. They have employed them before and are again resorting to the same methods, as they did during the Pulwama incident and earlier occurrences.”
“In fact, this has now become a very familiar pattern in diverting attention from India’s inability to suppress the inalienable right of the Kashmiris to self-determination, and its security failures in illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, as well as its decades-long state terrorism and oppression.”
“To distract the international community’s attention from the horrors of what is transpiring in Indian illegally held Jammu and Kashmir, India deliberately escalates tensions with Pakistan.”
“A lasting solution for India lies in addressing its internal problems, rather than pointing fingers at other countries. India has been employing allegations of terrorism to achieve its strategic objectives for a considerable time.”
“A pertinent example is India’s illegal and unilateral actions on the 5th of August 2019, which serve as a stark reminder of the blatant violation of the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and the Fourth Geneva Convention, as well as India’s own commitments.”
“India needs to provide an explanation as to why such incidents frequently coincide with high-profile visits. Please be clear: the fundamental cause of instability and conflict in South Asia is the unresolved and long-standing Jammu and Kashmir dispute.”
‘Terror Victim, Not Perpetrator’
The Deputy Prime Minister expressed his sorrow over the loss of innocent lives in the Pahalgam attack and reiterated Pakistan’s consistent stance against terrorism.
“Pakistan condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. No cause or objective can justify the killing of innocent people. This is not merely our national policy but also our Islamic belief — as per the Holy Quran, the killing of one human being is like the killing of all humanity,” he emphasized.
Dar reminded the international community that Pakistan has suffered more than any other nation in the fight against terrorism, with over 80,000 lives lost and economic losses exceeding $150 billion, and a total impact surpassing $500 billion.
“No one understands the pain of terrorism more than Pakistan,” he stated. “It is preposterous to even suggest that Pakistan was involved in the Pahalgam attack, considering its own sacrifices and ongoing efforts to combat terrorism.”
‘India Employing Familiar Tactics’
Dar accused India of following a “familiar template” previously observed during the Pulwama incident in 2019, where New Delhi blamed Pakistan without credible evidence, leading to a brief but perilous military standoff.
He stated that India frequently uses such incidents to incite domestic political sentiment, divert attention from internal issues, and justify oppressive measures in IIOJK. “The current episode is no different,” he asserted.
He further alleged that incidents such as the Pahalgam attack tend to occur concurrently with high-profile international visits or diplomatic engagements in India, suggesting an attempt to distract global attention from the ongoing human rights abuses in occupied Kashmir.
“The root cause of instability in South Asia is the unresolved Jammu and Kashmir dispute,” Dar stressed. “India’s illegal occupation and its consistent defiance of UN Security Council resolutions remain a grave concern for the international community.”
He added that India’s internal policies, including the enactment of draconian laws in IIOJK and rising Islamophobia, are contributing to further alienation and unrest within its borders.
