India Pushing Region Towards War, But Pakistan Will Not Strike First, Ishaq Dar

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has warned that India is deliberately pushing the South Asian region towards war. Speaking at a ceremony in Islamabad on Monday, Dar firmly stated that Pakistan would not be the first to engage in hostilities, but any Indian aggression would be met with “full national determination and strength.”

He accused India of orchestrating a “false flag operation” in Pahalgam to deflect attention from its growing internal unrest. “The case was registered merely 10 minutes after the incident—45 minutes away from the police station. That in itself raises serious doubts,” Dar remarked, calling the episode a “drama” created by New Delhi.

Mr Dar highlighted the escalating human rights abuses across various Indian states and emphasized that India’s aim is to shift global focus away from its domestic crises.

Addressing the contentious issue of the Indus Waters Treaty, Dar warned that India’s unilateral suspension of the treaty would be a grave violation of international law. “Water is not a weapon. Any attempt to block Pakistan’s water is tantamount to war,” he asserted.

Dar noted that Pakistan’s National Security Committee (NSC) had already responded to India’s provocations by implementing key decisions swiftly. He reiterated Pakistan’s peaceful stance and its zero-tolerance policy for terrorism, stating, “We don’t allow our soil to be used against anyone.”

In closing, Dar appealed to the international community to intervene and ensure that the Kashmir dispute and regional stability are not further undermined. “The Kashmir issue will never be sidelined,” he affirmed.