Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar stated that Pakistan is prepared for dialogue with India but is not desperate for it. He emphasized the necessity of a comprehensive dialogue that encompasses critical issues such as terrorism and the Indus Waters Treaty.
Addressing a press briefing in Islamabad on Wednesday, Dar warned that any attempt by India to divert or block Pakistan’s water would be considered an act of war. He asserted that the Indus Waters Treaty cannot be unilaterally suspended or amended under international law.
India had previously announced a unilateral suspension of the treaty, among other measures, in response to an attack on tourists in Pahalgam, Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), which New Delhi attributed to Islamabad. Additionally, India launched unprovoked missile attacks into Pakistani territory, claiming these strikes targeted “terrorist bases.” However, these attacks reportedly resulted in several civilian casualties, including women and children, alongside some Pakistani military personnel.
In response, Pakistan retaliated with precision attacks on Indian defense infrastructure, which escalated into a brief but deadly conflict between the two nuclear-armed nations—the worst in decades. The Pakistan Air Force also reportedly downed at least six Indian fighter jets during the standoff.
A United States-brokered ceasefire brought an end to 87 hours of fighting, but relations between the two neighboring countries plummeted to their lowest point.
Dar noted that the ceasefire between the two countries is currently holding, but he criticized Indian political leaders for their escalating rhetoric in the lead-up to their general elections. He remarked that India’s purported “new normal” has collapsed, and the world witnessed its claims of hegemony shattered during the recent conflict with Pakistan.
Dar disclosed that Pakistan had downed six Indian fighter jets and one unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), an event that garnered significant global attention. He added that Pakistan’s military response received international appreciation, but more notably, its diplomatic outreach earned recognition worldwide—even drawing criticism from within India itself.
As part of this diplomatic initiative, Dar mentioned that a delegation led by Pakistan Peoples Party leader Bilawal Bhutto Zardari had been dispatched to the United States, United Kingdom, and the United Nations.
It is pertinent to note that the former foreign minister is leading a nine-member high-level parliamentary delegation across several countries to articulate Pakistan’s position on the recent military confrontation with India and to challenge New Delhi’s narrative on the international stage.
According to Dar, the delegation reported that Pakistan’s stance had been well-received at all levels. He further added that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif undertook visits to Turkiye, Iran, Azerbaijan, and Tajikistan to express gratitude for their support during the conflict and is scheduled to visit the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia tomorrow for the same purpose.
Dar also announced that Pakistan will assume the presidency of the United Nations Security Council next month. The discussions during Pakistan’s tenure will primarily focus on the theme: “Promoting International Peace and Security through Multilateralism and Peaceful Settlement of Disputes.”
