Islamabad:
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Wednesday that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) or the United Arab Emirates (EAU) could be considered potential places for any future dialogue between Pakistan and India, with the United States playing a key role in facilitation of negotiations.
The National Security Advisor/DG ISI of Pakistan would represent the country in such conversations, he confirmed.
The prime minister made these comments while talking with senior journalists in the Federal Capital.
The tensions between Pakistan and India intensified on April 22 after New Delhi accused Islamabad of carrying out an attack in the tourist place of Iiojk Pahalgam, killing 26 people.
Tensions intensified even more in the early hours of May 7, when missile attacks hit six cities in Punjab and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), destroying a mosque and killing dozens of civilians, including women, children and elders.
In a rapid military response, Pakistan’s armed forces knocked down the Indian combat planes, including three Rafale aircraft, widely considered as a key asset of the Indian Air Force.
The confrontation intensified again in the early hours of May 10, when India attacked several Pakistani air bases with missile attacks. In retaliation, Pakistan launched the Bunyanum Marsoos operation, damaging Indian military facilities, including missile storage sites, air bases and other strategic objectives.
During a discussion with journalists, the prime minister said that Pakistan would choose Saudi Arabia or the EAU as the place for future conversations with India, with the United States playing an important role. He added that the National Security Advisor/DG ISI would represent Pakistan in the negotiations.
He emphasized the need for mediation in Indo-Pak conversations by international stakeholders, including Saudi Arabia, EAU and particularly in the United States, and said that any future negotiation should include an integral agenda that addresses central issues such as asshemEMira, water, trade and terrorism.
Speaking about the recent conflict with India, the prime minister said that the armed forces of Pakistan had bravely fought against the enemy.
He argued that an agreement was reached during communications between the General Directors of Military Operations (DGMO) of both countries that their respective forces would return to the positions prior to the conflict. However, a timeline for retirement has not been established, he said.
The prime minister recalled that during his speech at the Kakul Academy, he had invited the international community to carry out an open investigation into Pahalgam’s attack. He said that Pakistan’s neutral position was recognized and that the offer was accepted worldwide.
When asked if Israel had supported India during the conflict, Shehbaz responded affirmatively, citing reports that indicated Israeli’s presence and assistance. “Despite this, we achieved victory through the grace of God,” he said, adding that Pakistan used his Juwal Fatah missile system developed by the country during the conflict.
The prime minister said that the field marshal also won respect due to his “courage and unwavering actions.”
As a result of the resolved leadership of the Army Chief, we ask him to assume the role of Mariscal de Campo, said Shehbaz, and added that he was at the request of the Government, not the desire of the general, that he was offered the honorary range of Mariscal de Campo. “General Munir’s decisive command earned him respect and led us to ask him to accept this role,” said Sharif.
The journalists joked about the leadership role of the prime minister during the conflict, which he replied with a smile: “You can call me a political field marshal.”
Remembering the conflict, the prime minister said that around 2:30 am, he received an angry call from the Army Chief, who informed him that India was preparing to launch an attack. “I told the Army Chief that we had no doubts, they answered India, progress,” he said.
Shehbaz added that Pakistan gave a strong response to a country five times its size, far ahead in economic and military terms. “India considered the sho of the region; we destroy that arrogance. We defended the country only for the pleasure of the almighty,” he said.
In addition, he highlighted the value and coordination between all defense institutions, accrediting the air marshal and naval leadership for strategic execution.
Shehbaz said that although Pakistan had the ability to destroy more Indian systems, a restriction was exercised to avoid a greater escalation. “We don’t want war, but for peace in the region,” he said.
The prime minister expressed his gratitude to Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, the EAU, Azerbaijan and especially China, for their unwavering support during the conflict.
He pointed out with fun that Pakistan had effectively became a “marketing country for Chinese technology”, reflecting on its strategic utility during hostilities.
He said that the government intends to complete its term, adding: “What happens in the future is in the hands of God: we are focused only on doing our job.”
He reaffirmed Pakistan’s position that he has never supported terrorism and reiterated the country’s commitment to peace and prosperity in the region.
