As global support for India grows following the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people, mounting pressure is being felt by Pakistan. On Saturday, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif signalled Islamabad’s willingness to take part in a “neutral, transparent, and credible” investigation into the attack, according to a report by Dawn.
Speaking at the passing-out parade at the Pakistan Military Academy in Kakul, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, PM Shehbaz Sharif said, “Continuing with its role as a responsible country, Pakistan is open to participating in any neutral, transparent, and credible investigation.”
Claiming that Pakistan has been a “frontline state” in the fight against terrorism, Shehbaz Sharif added, “We have endured immense loss, with over 90,000 casualties and economic losses exceeding USD 600 billion.”
Meanwhile, a day earlier, Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif admitted during an interview with Sky News that Pakistan had a history of funding and supporting terrorist organisations.
In a viral video clip, Sky News anchor Yalda Hakim asked Asif, “You do admit that Pakistan has had a long history of backing, supporting, training, and funding these terrorist organisations?”
Responding, Khawaja Asif said, “We have been doing this dirty work for the United States for about three decades… and the West, including Britain. That was a mistake, and we suffered for it. If we had not joined the wars against the Soviet Union and later post-9/11, Pakistan’s track record would have been unimpeachable.”
In the same interview, Asif also warned of the possibility of an “all-out war” with India.
Following the Pahalgam attack, the Indian government launched a series of strong diplomatic actions against Pakistan, including closing the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Attari, suspending the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) for Pakistani nationals, and ordering Pakistani nationals to leave India within 40 hours. India also moved to reduce the strength of diplomatic staff at both High Commissions.
Additionally, India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty signed in 1960 as part of its strong response to the terror attack.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured the nation that the perpetrators and conspirators of the Pahalgam attack would be met with a response beyond their imagination.
He declared that the time had come to root out the remaining strongholds of terrorism, adding that the collective resolve of 140 crore Indians would break the backbone of terrorism.
