ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has strongly rejected claims circulated in Indian media that Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar requested a ceasefire following the recent escalation in tensions between the two countries.
In a statement issued late Friday, the Foreign Office spokesperson dismissed the reports as “categorically false” and reaffirmed that Pakistan acted in self-defence in response to what it described as Indian aggression.
“Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar, in all his public statements and interviews, clearly outlined that Pakistan responded decisively in line with its right to self-defence,” the spokesperson said.
The statement clarified that the ceasefire was facilitated through diplomatic engagement by friendly nations, particularly the United States and Saudi Arabia, and not initiated by Pakistan.
According to the spokesperson, the sequence of events leading to the ceasefire began when U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio called Senator Dar at approximately 8:15 a.m. on May 10, conveying that India was ready to cease hostilities if Pakistan reciprocated. Dar agreed to the proposal during the call.
Shortly afterward, around 9:00 a.m., Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan also contacted Dar to confirm the same message and received Pakistan’s concurrence.
“This clearly demonstrates that Pakistan did not initiate or request the ceasefire, but responded positively once the offer was conveyed by international partners,” the Foreign Office concluded.
