PM’s Kakul address proved ‘turning point’ in Pakistan’s stance on Pahalgam incident: Tarar

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said on Sunday that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s address at Kakul proved to be a “turning point” in Pakistan’s diplomatic stance, as he had offered an independent investigation into the Pahalgam incident, but India did not respond.

“This strengthened Pakistan’s position internationally and proved India’s accusations baseless when an investigation was offered,” Tarar said during a press briefing in Islamabad.

Tarar added that on April 26, 2025, the prime minister delivered a “historic address” at Kakul, responding to what he described as the Pahalgam “false flag operation” and stressing that blame games and unverified accusations must come to an end.

Referring to the attack, he said Pakistan expressed sympathy for the victims and viewed the incident as a tragedy, adding that the prime minister had called for restraint in blame games and urged that accusations not be made without evidence.

He contrasted Pakistan’s position with India’s, alleging that Islamabad had consistently condemned terrorism while suffering heavy losses in the fight against it, saying Pakistan had lost over 90,000 lives and faced economic losses exceeding $600 billion due to terrorism.

The minister said Pakistan remained a frontline state against terrorism and continued to fight extremist networks, alleging external links to groups such as the BLA and TTP.

Tarar said that on April 24, 2025, Pakistan’s National Security Committee held a meeting in which the country gave a “comprehensive response” to Indian allegations.

He also referred to water-related concerns, saying Pakistan considers water security a “red line” and would not allow violations of the Indus Waters Treaty. He added that the prime minister had warned that any attempt to restrict Pakistan’s water rights would be met with a response, cautioning India against using water as a weapon.

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Tarar said Pakistan’s armed forces remain fully capable of responding to any aggression, adding that the nation stood united behind its military leadership.

The minister added that Pakistan’s narrative on terrorism and regional security had gained international recognition over the past year, while what he called “baseless allegations” against Pakistan had not been accepted globally.

He further stated that Pakistan’s international image and the respect of overseas Pakistanis had improved, and said the country continues to be viewed with “dignity and regard” by the international community.

He added that the Kakul address would be remembered as an important milestone in Pakistan’s policy articulation, reinforcing the country’s stance on peace, security, and sovereignty.

Pahalgam attack

Escalation between Pakistan and India began on April 22, 2025, when an attack in Pahalgam killed 26 people. India immediately blamed Pakistan for the incident. However, Pakistan categorically rejected the Indian blame.

In response, India undertook a series of hostile actions the next day, on April 23, 2025, including suspending the 65-year-old Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), cancelling visas for Pakistani citizens, closing the Wagah-Attari border crossing, ordering the shutdown of the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi, and reducing diplomatic staff at each other’s embassies.

Tensions further escalated in the early hours of May 7, 2025, when missile strikes hit six cities in Punjab and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), destroying a mosque and killing dozens of civilians, including women, children, and the elderly.

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In a swift military response, Pakistan’s armed forces shot down Indian warplanes, including three Rafale jets. The confrontation intensified again in the early hours of May 10, 2025, when India targeted several Pakistani airbases with missile strikes. In retaliation, Pakistan launched Operation Bunyanum Marsoos, damaging Indian military installations, including missile storage sites, airbases, and other strategic targets.

On May 10, 2025, US President Donald Trump announced that a ceasefire had been reached following intense diplomatic efforts overnight. Minutes later, the agreement was confirmed separately by Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and the Indian foreign secretary.