ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Mohammad Ishaq Dar has held a telephone conversation with the Foreign Minister of Bahrain, Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, and briefed him on India’s baseless allegations against the country.
Ishaq Dar briefed his Bahraini counterpart on the evolving regional situation, including India’s baseless allegations, negative propaganda, and unilateral actions against Pakistan, which threaten regional stability, a press release issued by the Foreign Ministry said.
He reaffirmed Pakistan’s firm commitment to safeguarding its national interests while continuing to support peace, and stability in the region and beyond.
The two leaders also reiterated the longstanding, brotherly ties between Pakistan and Bahrain and discussed avenues to further strengthen bilateral cooperation across diverse sectors.
India running terror network
Pakistan military’s spokesman, Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, on Tuesday presented irrefutable evidence revealing India’s involvement in undertaking cross-border terrorism inside Pakistan.
He revealed that a full-fledged Indian terror network has been uncovered within Pakistan. “India, as a state, is engaged in terrorism,” he asserted. The DG ISPR said that seven days had passed since the Pahalgam incident, but so far, India had not provided a “shred of evidence” for its “baseless allegations” against Pakistan.
He dismissed India’s accusations of terrorism against Pakistan as baseless and countered that New Delhi is, in fact, operating terrorist networks inside Pakistan.
Pahalgam crisis
Tensions escalated between Pakistan and India after gunmen attacked local tourists in the Pahalgam area of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) on 22 April, killing 26 people and injuring 17.
India swiftly blamed Pakistan for the attack without presenting any credible evidence. Pakistan condemned the attack and strongly rejected the Indian government’s baseless accusations.
A day after the Pahalgam incident on 23 April, India’s Cabinet Committee on Security approved measures including the closure of the Wagah-Attari border crossing and the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty.
In response, Pakistan’s National Security Committee (NSC) met on 24 April and warned that any attempt by India to block water flows into Pakistan would be considered an act of war.
The Pakistan Foreign Office on Friday said India was in no position to make a unilateral decision on the Indus Waters Treaty which is of critical importance for Pakistan’s water security and economy.
Foreign Office Spokesperson, Shafqat Ali Khan at his weekly media briefing in Islamabad said the unlawful, unilateral, and irresponsible Indian announcement threatens the very foundations of the entire edifice of interstate cooperation and smooth implementation of the treaties.
Pakistan’s National Security Committee also announced to closure of the Wagah border crossing with India.
On April 25, the Senate of Pakistan unanimously passed a resolution, rejecting India’s allegations as baseless and politically motivated.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday said Islamabad was open to any “neutral and transparent” investigation into the Pahalgam attack. However, New Delhi has yet to respond to Pakistan’s offer.
“The recent tragedy in Pahalgam is yet another example of this perpetual blame game, which must come to a grinding halt,” PM Shehbaz said.
Pakistan has consistently maintained that it has no interest in escalating conflict but would defend itself if attacked.
Earlier on Monday, Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif warned that the country was fully prepared to respond with “full force” if India initiated any military action.
Speaking to a private television channel, Asif said, “We want India’s lies on this issue to be exposed,” Asif said, adding that Pakistan had no desire for confrontation but would not hesitate to protect its sovereignty.
The situation deteriorated further when the Pakistani High Commission in London was vandalised by Indian miscreants on 26 April.
According to the Metropolitan Police, two persons were arrested in connection with the vandalism, which caused property damage including broken windows and paint attacks.
Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Information, Attaullah Tarar, condemned the incident, claiming that Indian state institutions were behind the vandalism.
International calls for restraint have grown. China urged both India and Pakistan to “exercise restraint” and “properly handle relevant differences through dialogue and consultation,” according to Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun.
Guo reaffirmed China’s support for a fair investigation into the Pahalgam attack and stressed the importance of peaceful coexistence for regional stability.
China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi, during a phone call with Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, reiterated Beijing’s consistent support for Pakistan’s counterterrorism efforts and its legitimate security concerns.
The United States has also urged caution. “This is an evolving situation and we are monitoring developments closely,” a State Department spokesperson said. “The United States encourages all parties to work together towards a responsible resolution.”
