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Ishaq Dar, however, falsely asserted that Pakistan strives for peace as it has failed to act against the perpetrators of the Pahalgam attack.
Pakistan Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, in his ceasefire confirmation statement, appeared to blame India for escalation even though Pakistani forces indiscriminately targeted civilians along the Indian side of the LoC and the IB. (IMAGE: REUTERS)
Pakistan Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar confirmed that India and Pakistan on Friday agreed to a ceasefire shortly after India announced that the Pakistan Director-General of Military Operations (DGMO) called his Indian counterpart to announce that all military actions had been halted since 5pm Saturday evening (Indian Standard Time).
Ishaq Dar, however, falsely asserted that Pakistan “strives for peace” as it has failed to act against the perpetrators of the Pahalgam attack where innocent tourists were slaughtered in the hands of terrorists his state has trained and backed.
“We are ready for a ceasefire, but if India engages in any aggression, we will respond,” said Dar, who also holds the Deputy Prime Minister portfolio, appearing to cast blame on India for the recent tensions.
Dar also “expressed gratitude” to the “countries involved in the ceasefire process”. It should be noted that the US appeared to take credit for the ceasefire agreement with US President Donald Trump claiming that he and his ministers helped “mediate” the ceasefire. Dar’s statement did not specify which “party” he was referring to.
He then went on to claim that “Pakistan has always strived for peace in the region without compromising on sovereignty and territorial integrity” and said that the ceasefire went into effect at 4:30pm (Pakistan Standard Time).
Tensions between India and Pakistan soared significantly after the Indian armed forces on Wednesday conducted precision strikes targeting terror launchpads in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in response to the April 22 Pahalgam attack that had cross-border linkages.
Pakistan has since then attempted to attack a number of military installations and civilian population along India’s northern and western borders. India has said it has responded befittingly.
India on Saturday said it has effectively blunted Pakistan’s provocative action of employing multiple threats along the western border using drones, long-range weapons and fighter jets, targeting civilian areas and military infrastructure.
The defence ministry of India on Saturday said that Indian forces destroyed Pakistan’s air defence systems and terror bunkers across the Line of Control and also caused extensive damage to over five of their air force bases.
- Location :
Islamabad, Pakistan
- First Published:
