Ishaq Dar
Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, has made a strong statement regarding recent tensions with India, asserting that after Islamabad’s measured retaliatory actions, the ball is now firmly in New Delhi’s court.
His remarks signal a critical moment in the strained relations between the two nuclear-armed neighbors, with Pakistan declaring its preparedness to respond further if provoked.
In a detailed statement, Dar criticized India for what he described as “deceitful tactics”—acting with hostility while projecting a façade of friendship. He accused the Indian government of adopting a duplicitous approach, consistently leveling baseless allegations against Pakistan without providing any concrete evidence. Despite this, he emphasized that Pakistan has displayed considerable restraint and patience in the face of escalating provocations.
The Foreign Minister stated that Pakistan’s recent actions have been strictly in response to India’s provocations, reinforcing that these steps are defensive, not aggressive. “We are not the initiators,” he said, “but we will not allow our sovereignty to be undermined. If India fails to de-escalate the situation, Pakistan is ready to respond with full resolve.”
Dar went on to highlight the mixed signals coming from India, pointing to instances where diplomatic messages were contradicted by hostile actions on the ground. He claimed this inconsistency clearly reflects India’s true intentions, further undermining its credibility on the international stage.
He also underscored that Pakistan has not been presented with any credible evidence to justify the accusations being made by Indian officials. In the digital age, Dar noted, falsehoods cannot be hidden or reshaped to fit political narratives. He expressed confidence that the international community sees through the disinformation campaign and recognizes Pakistan’s restrained and defensive posture.
Meanwhile, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal echoed a more diplomatic tone, expressing hope that India would take the path of dialogue and diplomacy to resolve the ongoing tensions.
He reaffirmed Pakistan’s longstanding commitment to its pledge of not being the first to use nuclear weapons, underscoring the country’s responsible approach to regional stability.
Together, the statements from Pakistan’s top leadership reflect a dual strategy: a firm stance against aggression, coupled with a continued openness to peaceful resolution through diplomatic engagement.
