Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif on tensions with India after Pahalgam terror attack

Breaking his silence on the escalating tensions with India, a rattled Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said he was ready for a “neutral and transparent investigation” into the Pahalgam terror attack but underscored that the country was prepared for any misadventure.

“Pakistan is open to participating in any neutral, transparent investigation… Peace is our preference. We shall never compromise on our integrity and security,” the Pakistani Prime Minister said.

Sharif’s remarks signal a toning down of the rhetoric that has been seen lately by other Pakistani leaders and his ministers, who have accused India of “staging” the Pahalgam terror attack to create a “crisis in the region”.

PAHALGAM ATTACK AND RETALIATION

Pahalgam was witness to one of the deadliest terrorist attacks in Kashmir in recent years after Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists killed 26 tourists in the scenic Baisaran Valley, dubbed as ‘mini Switzerland’.

India, which has indirectly held Pakistan responsible for the terror attack, responded with a raft of punitive measures and downgraded diplomatic ties. Apart from suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, India has cancelled the issuance of visas to Pakistanis and closed the Wagah-Attari border.

Pakistan has also responded with tit-for-tat measures and closed its airspace to Indian-owned and operated airlines.

SHEHBAZ SHARIF ON INDUS WATERS TREATY

On the suspension of the Indus treaty, Sharif warned that any attempt to reduce or divert water belonging to Pakistan would be responded to with “full force”.

The Indus rivers are a lifeline for Pakistan and provide water for 80% of its agricultural land. Moreover, a third of its hydropower also depends on the Indus basin’s water.

“Nobody should remain under any kind of false pretence… our armed forces are fully capable and prepared to defend the country and its sovereignty and integrality against any misadventure, as clearly demonstrated by its measured yet resolute response to India in its restless incursion in February 2019,” the Pakistani PM said.

In February 2019, following the attack in Pulwama that left 44 soldiers dead, India launched airstrikes in Balakot, targeting terrorist launchpads.

The following day, the Pakistan Air Force retaliated with a strike in the Rajouri sector of Jammu. In the ensuing aerial battle, India shot down a Pakistani F-16 fighter aircraft.