Key points
- India levelled baseless allegations: Shehbaz
- Pakistan PM warns India against “misadventure”
- Says nation stands behind the armed forces
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday said that Pakistan as a responsible country was open to participate “in any neutral, transparent and credible investigation into the Pahalgam incident”.
He said India had levelled “baseless allegations and accusations without verifiable evidence” in the wake of the Pahalgam incident, and this “blame game must come to an end.”
Addressing the passing out parade of Pakistan Military Academy cadets, the prime minister said that water had been a vital national interest of Pakistan and a lifeline for its 240 million people.
The premier said its availability would be safeguarded at all costs and in all circumstances.
He reiterated Pakistan’s strong condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
Full force
In an apparent reference to India’s announcement of suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, the prime minister said “Any attempt to stop, reduce and divert the flow of water belonging to Pakistan under the Indus Waters Treaty will be responded to with full force and might and no one should remain under any false impression and confusion.”
The prime minister said that their “valiant armed forces were fully capable of defending the country’s territorial integrity and sovereignty as manifested in its resolute response to the Indian reckless incursion on February 26, 2019.”
Therefore, nobody should make any mistake about it, he added.
“This nation of 240 million people stands united behind their brave armed forces and is committed to safeguarding every inch of the motherland.”
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reiterated, “Peace is our preference, but it must not be construed as our weakness. We shall and will not compromise on our dignity and security of the beloved Pakistan.”
Constructive role
He said Pakistan would continue its unwavering commitment to playing a positive and constructive role on the global stage for peace and security, as it believed in the unity of the human race.
The prime minister said founder, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, had rightly declared Kashmir as the jugular vein of Pakistan.
He said it was a globally recognised dispute that remained unresolved despite UNSC resolutions and reaffirmed Pakistan’s continuing support to the Kashmiris’ right to self-determination till they achieved it after great struggle and sacrifices.
