Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Thursday addressed the upper house of Parliament, clarifying that Pakistan did not request a ceasefire during the recent escalation with India.
Speaking during a Senate session chaired by Chairman Yousuf Raza Gilani, Dar stated that the ceasefire came about following a call from the U.S. Secretary of State, who relayed that India was prepared to halt hostilities.
Dar explained that the ceasefire was implemented after Pakistan confirmed its willingness to cease military actions. This diplomatic development was later reinforced through further communications from Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and China.
He emphasized Pakistan’s restraint in the face of rising tensions, saying the country had conveyed its peaceful stance to all friendly nations well before the situation escalated.
“We told our friends we would not initiate an attack, but we would certainly respond if provoked,”
said Dar, highlighting that Pakistan’s approach remained defensive yet resolute.
He further noted that Pakistan’s response was “measured, decisive, and in line with international norms.”
Dar revealed that the conflict had been triggered by the Pahalgam incident, which India hastily blamed on Pakistan without providing any concrete evidence—similar to the earlier Pulwama episode.
“We offered a transparent and neutral investigation into the Pahalgam attack, but India refused,”
he said, asserting that Pakistan made deliberate efforts to ensure that India’s narrative did not dominate global discourse this time.
Detailing the scale of hostilities, Dar said that on May 7, 70–80 Indian aircraft violated Pakistani airspace, releasing 24 payloads that struck civilian areas, including mosques. In response, Pakistan downed six Indian jets—reportedly including Rafale aircraft—without losing a single aircraft.
He accused India of deliberately targeting Sikh-populated areas in an attempt to sow internal discord and then falsely blaming Pakistan for the attacks.
According to Dar, Pakistan neutralized 80 Indian drones during the conflict. Only one managed to inflict injuries on Pakistani forces, underscoring the effectiveness of Pakistan’s air defenses.
He further asserted that India launched coordinated attacks on multiple Pakistani military bases and civilian infrastructure. However, Pakistan chose not to retaliate against Indian civilian targets.
“We told the world we will not hide our response — and we didn’t,”
Dar affirmed, referring to the public release of videos documenting Pakistan’s counter-strikes.
He credited the National Security Committee for its swift and strategic decisions, which were effectively implemented by the military.
Dar also emphasized a shift in global perceptions of Pakistan:
“Pakistan is no longer diplomatically irrelevant; we have proven our strategic and diplomatic significance.”
He accused India of using the Pahalgam incident as a pretext to undermine the Indus Waters Treaty. Citing recent remarks by World Bank President Ajay Banga, Dar reiterated that the treaty cannot be unilaterally suspended or terminated.
The foreign minister commended the armed forces—especially the Air Force—for their professionalism, noting that India suffered at least $3 billion in losses during the conflict. Pakistan, in contrast, bore the brunt of civilian casualties, including women, children, and the elderly.
He underscored the importance of political stability and national unity, especially in the face of persistent external threats. The government, he announced, has introduced a special compensation package for the families of those martyred and pledged full state support for them.
Dar concluded by reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to peace:
“While Pakistan remains committed to peace, it has demonstrated that any act of aggression will be met with a firm and proportionate response.”
Opposition Leader Senator Shibli Faraz echoed Dar’s sentiments, commending the Pakistan Air Force and urging the government to translate military success into diplomatic and strategic advantage.
He emphasized that Pakistan had solidified its defense capabilities, particularly by setting a new benchmark in air warfare, and called for the nation to build on this momentum across all domains.
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