Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday reiterated Pakistan’s firm condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and expressed readiness to participate in any neutral, transparent, and credible investigation into the Pahalgam incident.
Addressing a passing-out parade at the Pakistan Military Academy in Kakul, the prime minister said: “The recent tragedy in Pahalgam is yet another example of this perpetual blame game, which must come to a grinding halt. Continuing with its role as a responsible country, Pakistan is open to participating in any neutral, transparent and credible investigation.”
The premier criticised India for continuing with a “pattern of exploitation, levelling baseless allegations and false accusations without credible investigation or verifiable evidence”.
Highlighting water as a critical national interest and lifeline for Pakistan’s 240 million people, PM Shehbaz strongly warned that any attempt to block, reduce, or divert Pakistan’s rightful share of water under the Indus Water Treaty would be met with full force. He made it clear that no one should harbor "any false impression or confusion" about Pakistan’s resolve.
Referring to Pakistan’s swift and determined response to India's February 26, 2019 incursion, he assured that the nation’s armed forces were fully capable of defending the country’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.
The prime minister emphasized that while Pakistan preferred peace, it should never be mistaken for weakness, and reaffirmed the nation's unwavering commitment to its dignity, security, and sovereignty. He also underlined Pakistan’s constructive role on the global stage in promoting peace and the unity of humanity.
“As the world’s frontline state against terrorism, we have endured immense loss, with out 90,000 casualties and economic losses beyond imagination, exceeding $600 billion,” he highlighted.
Reaffirming support for the Kashmir cause, PM Shehbaz quoted Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s declaration of Kashmir as Pakistan’s "jugular vein" and stressed that the dispute, recognized internationally and by UN resolutions, would continue to receive Pakistan’s full backing until the Kashmiri people achieved their right to self-determination.
“I also need to underscore the importance of Kashmir, as the Founder of the Nation Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah rightly said, Kashmir is the jugular vein of Pakistan. Unfortunately, this globally recognised dispute remains unresolved despite multiple UN resolutions."
