By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif told US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday that India’s provocative response to last week’s Pahalgam attack in occupied Kashmir threatens South Asia’s stability, as he called for a neutral probe into the incident during a telephone conversation.
Tension between the nuclear-armed rivals spiked after the killing of 26 tourists last week in the Pahalgam area, which India blamed on Pakistan. Islamabad rejected the accusation and called for a neutral probe. The Hindu nationalist Narendra Modi government and its allied media call for military action. Modi granted ‘operational freedom’ to his military. Islamabad has warned it would deliver a ‘befitting response’ to any aggression.
Since the incident, both countries have exchanged gunfire across the Line of Control in Kashmir, closed borders and trade and airspaces and revoked decades-old accords.
The two leaders discussed recent developments in South Asia following the Pahalgam incident, with Sharif sharing Pakistan’s perspective on the situation.
“Terming India’s escalatory and provocative behavior as deeply disappointing and worrisome, the Prime Minister said that India’s provocations would only serve to distract Pakistan from its ongoing efforts to defeat terrorism, particularly from militant groups including ISKP (Islamic State Khorasan Province), TTP (Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan) and BLA (Balochistan Liberation Army)operating from Afghan soil,” Sharif told Rubio, according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office.
Sharif urged the United States to press India to “dial down the rhetoric” and act responsibly
“He categorically rejected Indian attempts to link Pakistan to the incident and pointed to his call for a transparent, credible, and neutral investigation to bring out the facts,” the statement added.
Sharif condemned terrorism in all its forms and highlighted the country’s leading role in the war against terror, citing over 90,000 lives lost and economic losses of over $152 billion.
“It was most regrettable that India had chosen to weaponise water, which was a lifeline for 240 million people of Pakistan, while also stressing that the Indus Waters Treaty had no provision for either side to unilaterally renege from its commitments.”
PM Sharif emphasized that a peaceful resolution of the Jammu & Kashmir dispute is essential for lasting peace in the region.
On bilateral cooperation, Sharif highlighted the historical ties between Pakistan and the U.S. and expressed interest in enhancing collaboration in counter-terrorism and economic sectors, particularly minerals.
“The prime minister also stressed that his government had undertaken major economic reforms over the past year, and consequently, Pakistan was now on the road to economic recovery.”
Secretary Rubio thanked Sharif for the detailed conversation and emphasized the need for both sides to continue working together for peace and stability in South Asia.
The US State Department, in a statement, said that Rubio also “urged Pakistani officials’ cooperation in investigating this unconscionable attack”.
Rubio also spoke to Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar on Wednesday.
“The Secretary expressed his sorrow for the lives lost in the horrific terrorist attack in Pahalgam, and reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to cooperation with India against terrorism,” the statement said. “He also encouraged India to work with Pakistan to de-escalate tensions and maintain peace and security in South Asia.”
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