Monitoring Desk
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday extended a formal offer of comprehensive dialogue to India, urging New Delhi to resolve all contentious issues—including the Kashmir dispute and water sharing—through peaceful means. At the same time, he warned of severe consequences in case of further military provocation.
Speaking to troops at Pasrur Cantonment in Sialkot near the frontline, the prime minister lauded the armed forces for their robust response under Operation Bunyanum Marsoos, which was launched in retaliation to Indian air and missile strikes following the April 22 Pahalgam incident. According to PM Shehbaz, Pakistan’s counterstrikes on May 6–7 targeted 26 Indian military installations, including airbases, and resulted in the downing of several Indian Rafale jets.
“You have avenged the 1971 war,” the premier told soldiers. “If India dares to attack us again, it will lose everything. We are ready for war—but we prefer peace. The choice lies with India.”
In a strongly worded message to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Shehbaz Sharif said that any attempt to divert Pakistan’s water resources would cross a red line. “Water and blood cannot flow together,” he stated. “You have already hit our Neelum-Jhelum project. If the damage had been greater, we could have retaliated by destroying your key dams, including Baglihar.”
He reiterated Pakistan’s willingness to engage in dialogue. “Let us extinguish this fire. Let us sit down together and talk—on Kashmir, on water, and on peace.”
Tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours escalated following the Pahalgam attack, which killed 26 people. While no group claimed responsibility, India blamed Pakistan—a charge Islamabad denies, calling instead for an independent international investigation.
India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty in the aftermath drew sharp criticism from Islamabad and raised concerns globally. In an interview last week, World Bank President Ajay Banga clarified that the treaty contains no provision for suspension. “It either needs to be terminated or renegotiated, and that requires mutual consent,” Banga said, noting the Bank’s limited role as a facilitator.
Condemning Indian military strikes on civilian areas, PM Shehbaz said targeting children, women, and the elderly under the guise of counterterrorism was a violation of international law and basic human morality. He accused India of launching the offensive based on arrogance and a false narrative, deliberately avoiding Pakistan’s call for a neutral inquiry.
During the visit, the prime minister received a comprehensive operational briefing and met officers and troops engaged in the response operation. In a show of solidarity with the armed forces, he is expected to visit air and naval bases in the coming days.
Later in the day, PM Shehbaz spoke by phone with United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, expressing appreciation for his diplomatic efforts to defuse regional tensions. It was their third call in two weeks. The prime minister stressed that a just and peaceful resolution of the Kashmir issue, in line with UN Security Council resolutions, was critical for lasting peace in South Asia.
Guterres welcomed the ceasefire agreement and extended condolences for civilian losses, reaffirming the UN’s continued engagement with both sides.
PM Shehbaz also thanked UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in a separate call for the UAE’s constructive diplomatic role during the crisis. He similarly expressed gratitude to Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev during a meeting with Ambassador Khazar Farhadov in Islamabad.
In a humanitarian gesture, Pakistan repatriated an Indian border guard, Purnam Kumar Shaw, captured on April 23. He was returned to Indian authorities on Wednesday, Pakistan Rangers confirmed.
