Pakistan Open to ‘Neutral Investigation’ into Pahalgam Attack, Asserts PM Shehbaz Sharif

Escalating Tensions After Pahalgam Terror Attack: Pakistan Receptive to Impartial Probe

Following growing tensions after the latest terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, where 26 people were killed, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has spoken of Islamabad’s readiness to join a “neutral investigation” of the incident. Addressing a ceremony at a military academy in Abbottabad, Sharif said Pakistan was willing to join any open and credible inquiry.

We stand prepared for a neutral, transparent, and credible inquiry,” Sharif asserted, while also assuring the country that the Pakistani military forces are completely equipped to defend the sovereignty of the country against all possible threats. His remarks recalled the military’s restrained reaction to India’s so-called incursion in February 2019 and Pakistan’s willingness to protect its territorial integrity.

These comments followed claims by Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif that Pakistan is ready to work in association with foreign inspectors to carry out an inquiry on the attack. Asif described India’s response to the event as the exploiting of tragedy to achieve their internal political ends, claiming India chose to postpone the Indus Waters Treaty due to a lack of evidence and research.

The Baisaran attack, which mostly involved civilians, has prompted India to take severe actions against Pakistan, such as suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, closing the integrated check point at the Attari border, and requiring all Pakistani citizens who entered India through the Attari land border to depart by May 1. Asif denounced these moves, calling on increasing conflict to bring only devastation to the area.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi meanwhile has pledged to take strong action against the assailants, vowing that New Delhi will follow through on pursuing the terrorists “to the ends of the earth.” He proclaimed, “India will identify, track and punish every terrorist and their supporters. Terrorism will not go unpunished,” announcing a tough position on those involved in the Pahalgam attack.

Modi also cautioned that the punishment for the perpetrators and those involved in the conspiracy behind the attack would be more severe than they could ever have thought. As events continue to unfold, both countries are on high alert as they deal with the challenges of increasing tensions and the need to confront terrorism.