Any bid to impose war will be responded to decisively, says Army

RAWALPINDI/MUZAFFARABAD/UNITED NATIONS: Top military brass of the country at a Special Corps Commanders’ Conference on Friday made clear that any attempt to impose war will be responded to surely and decisively.

“Reaffirming Pakistan’s abiding commitment to peace, stability and prosperity, the forum made it clear that any attempt to impose war will be responded to, surely and decisively, and aspirations of people of Pakistan shall be respected at all costs. InshaAllah,” the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) in a statement said.

The forum presided over by Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir, which met here at the General Headquarters, conducted a comprehensive review of the prevailing geo-strategic environment, with particular emphasis on the current Pakistan-India standoff and the broader regional security calculus.

The conference reaffirmed the unflinching resolve of the Pakistan Armed Forces to uphold the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country against any aggression or misadventure.

The COAS lauded the unwavering professionalism, steadfast morale, and operational preparedness of the Armed Forces, standing in unity with the people of Pakistan to defend the homeland at all costs and underscored the critical importance of heightened vigilance and proactive readiness across all fronts.

The forum expressed grave concern over the intensification of Indian atrocities in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), particularly in the aftermath of the recent Pahalgam incident, as well as the continued targeting of innocent civilians along the Line of Control (LoC) by Indian occupation forces.

The military leadership reiterated that such inhumane and unprovoked acts serve only to escalate regional tensions and will be met with a resolute and proportionate response.

It also noted with serious concern, India’s consistent pattern of exploitation of crises to achieve political and military objectives. “They have been following a predictable template - whereby internal governance failures are externalised,” the participants of the conference said.

The forum also observed that such incidents have often coincided with unilateral moves by India to alter the status quo, as seen in 2019 when India similarly exploited the Pulwama incident to unilaterally alter the status quo of the IIOJK, through revocation of Article 370.

The conference also noted that the latest instance, the Pahalgam episode appears to be part of a deliberate strategy to divert Pakistan’s focus away from the western front, as well as ongoing national efforts for economic revival -- the two fronts where Pakistan is decisively and sustainably gaining grounds.

“Such diversionary tactics aimed at providing operational breathing space to Indian terror proxies will never succeed,” the forum maintained.

In the same vein, the conference expressed serious concern that India is now exploiting the Pahalgam incident to undermine the longstanding Indus Waters Treaty, seeking to usurp Pakistan’s legitimate and inalienable water rights.

“This constitutes a dangerous attempt to weaponise water, threatening the livelihood and sustenance of over 240 million Pakistanis and escalating strategic instability in South Asia.”

The forum also voiced deep alarm over credible evidence of direct Indian military and intelligence involvement in orchestrating terrorist activities inside Pakistan maintaining that state-sponsored actions are in blatant violation of international norms which are universally unacceptable.

The participants reiterated that Pakistan’s path to peace and development will not be deterred by terrorism, coercion or aggression - whether directly or through proxies. Deliberate destabilisation efforts by the Indian government will be confronted and defeated with resolve and clarity.

The forum concluded with the COAS expressing complete confidence in the operational readiness, deterrence posture, and morale of all formations and strategic forces to defend the nation across the entire threat spectrum.

Meanwhile, diplomatic engagements with foreign representatives continued on Friday as Pakistan reached out to world capitals and reiterated its commitment to peace and regional stability.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called upon brotherly countries, including Saudi Arabia, UAE and Kuwait, to impress upon India to de-escalate and defuse tensions.

The prime minister was talking to Saudi Ambassador Nawaf bin Saeed Al-Maliky, UAE Ambassador Hamad Obaid Ibrahim Salem Al-Zaabi and Kuwait Ambassador Nasser Abdulrahman Jasser, who separately called on him at the PM House on Friday.

During the meeting with the Saudi ambassador, the prime minister conveyed his warm wishes to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud as well as to the Saudi Arab’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud.

He thanked the Saudi leadership and people for always standing in solidarity with Pakistan through thick and thin.

The Saudi ambassador said that the kingdom wanted to work with Pakistan for peace and security in the region.

During the meeting with the UAE ambassador, the prime minister conveyed his warm wishes to UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan.

During the meeting with the Kuwaiti envoy, the prime minister conveyed his warm wishes to Kuwait Emir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.

Meanwhile, in a telephone call with European Union’s EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President Kaja Kallas, Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar apprised her on the recent regional developments.

Commenting on X, Kaja Kallas commented, “Rising tensions between India and Pakistan are alarming. I urge both sides to show restraint and pursue dialogue to ease the situation. Escalation helps no one. I spoke to both @DrSJaishankar and @MIshaqDar50 today to convey these messages.”

Earlier the foreign minister spoke to Foreign Minister of Panama Javier Eduardo Martinze-Acha Vasquez and the Foreign Minister of Denmark Lars Locke Rasmussen

FM Dar briefed both his counterparts on the current regional situation.

Pakistan in its communications with world capitals underscored its resolve to safeguard its sovereignty and national interests, while contributing to regional peace and security.

The Panama foreign minister emphasised both sides (Pakistan and India) to exercise restraint.

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Rasmussen expressed concern over the escalation, and emphasised the importance of both sides exercising restraint.

United Nations Security Council (UNSC) President Evangelos Sekeris stated that the Council is likely to convene soon to address the escalating tensions between India and Pakistan.

Speaking at a press conference outlining the Council’s agenda for the month, Sekeris said the situation is ongoing and evolving, and the Council is closely monitoring developments. When asked whether either country had formally requested a meeting, he confirmed that the matter is under watch and that the UNSC will inevitably take it up.

Sekeris referred to a recent press statement from the Council condemning the “terrorist” attack in Pahalgam. The statement called for accountability and urged international cooperation to bring those responsible to justice.

The ambassador also noted that major global powers are already engaged in dialogue with both India and Pakistan. He indicated that if the situation does not de-escalate, an extraordinary session of the Security Council could follow, emphasising that maintaining international peace and security is a core responsibility of the Council.

Highlighting the involvement of two significant member states, Sekeris underlined the high stakes and expressed hope that diplomatic efforts would lead to de-escalation. He reiterated that the Council supports calls for restraint and dialogue to prevent the situation from spiraling out of control.

A meeting of the Security Council on the matter, he suggested, could take place sooner rather than later.

Meanwhile, Pakistani Ambassador to the United Nations Asim Iftikhar Ahmad met UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and discussed the latest developments in the region.

“The discussion focused on the evolving security situation in South Asia as well as the imperative of de-escalation and the efforts being made to that effect,” a press release issued by the Pakistan Mission to the UN said.

“The Ambassador reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to regional peace and stability,” it added.

Earlier, in the day UN Spokesman Stephane Dujarric was asked at the regular UN briefing whether Guterres plans to travel to India and Pakistan as the situation was heating up. Dujarric replied that the UN chief had offered his good offices during his phone calls to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in the wake of the armed attack in the IIOJK.

“So I don’t think there would be any travel until there’s a clear message that, as in any instance where we have high tensions between two countries, that they’ve both accepted his good offices,” he added.

He spoke to the Minister of External Affairs of India. He spoke to the Prime Minister of Pakistan, and I think we told you a lot about those phone calls. And, again, as I said, he offered his good offices.”

Meanwhile, speaking in Geo News programme ‘Naya Pakistan’, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said: “Certainly, if they attempt to build any kind of structure, we will strike it.” He said that building any structure on the Indus River by violating the IWT would be seen as Indian aggression against Pakistan.

“Aggression is not just about firing cannons or bullets; it has many faces. One of those faces is [blocking or diverting water], which could lead to deaths due to hunger and thirst,” he added.

The security czar warned: “If they make any architectural attempt, then Pakistan will destroy that structure.”

“But for now, we are heading to forums available to us, starting from the IWT [Indus Waters Treaty]. We will pursue this matter.” The minister was of the view that it would not be easy for New Delhi to violate the IWT, adding that Islamabad would approach the concerned stakeholders over the unilateral suspension of the IWT by the Indian government.

He said that the Pahalgam incident was pre-planned, and its purpose was to falsely accuse Pakistan, but India’s conspiracy has failed miserably. He stated that the Modi government’s narrative has not been accepted internationally, and even the Indian public does not seem to stand behind this lie.

Meanwhile, the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) government called on residents near the Line of Control (LoC) to stockpile food as tensions flare between the arch-rivals. “Instructions have been issued to stock food supplies for two months in the 13 constituencies along the LoC,” AJK Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwar ul Haq told the local assembly on Friday.

The regional government has also created an emergency fund of one billion rupees to ensure the supply of “food, medicines and all other basic necessities” to the 13 constituencies, he said.

Government and privately owned machinery was also being deployed to maintain roads in the areas along the LoC, he said.

In New York, Pakistan issued a stark warning on Thursday, stating that India’s recent unilateral actions and belligerent rhetoric have escalated tensions to a dangerous level, threatening regional peace and security.

The ambassador accused India of creating a “politically motivated and highly provocative environment” following the 22nd April terrorist attack in Pahalgam, in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), says a press release.

Speaking at a press briefing at the UN headquarters, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Asim Iftikhar revealed that Pakistan possesses “reasonable intelligence” indicating an imminent threat of Indian military action. “We have briefed the UN Secretary-General, the Presidents of the General Assembly and the Security Council, and our international partners about these alarming developments,” he stated.

The ambassador condemned India’s “irresponsible and destabilising actions,” including its decision to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty, calling the move “unilateral and illegal.” He warned that any attempt by India to disrupt the natural flow of water to Pakistan would be considered an act of war. “The Indus Waters Treaty is a legally binding agreement guaranteed by the World Bank. India’s actions risk setting a dangerous precedent for lower riparian states worldwide,” he emphasised.

However, Ambassador Iftikhar reiterated that Pakistan does not seek escalation but is fully prepared to defend its sovereignty. “Should India resort to aggression, Pakistan will exercise its inherent right to self-defence under the UN Charter,” he declared.

Pakistan categorically rejected India’s allegations linking it to the Pahalgam attack, stressing that no credible evidence has been shared despite repeated demands.

“India’s immediate finger-pointing at Pakistan without investigation follows a familiar, discredited pattern,” the ambassador said. He called for an independent, neutral investigation into the incident, a demand India has so far ignored.

Highlighting Pakistan’s own suffering from terrorism, he extended condolences for the lives lost in Pahalgam but condemned India’s use of the attack to justify repression in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). “The root cause of South Asia’s instability remains India’s illegal occupation of Jammu and Kashmir and its denial of the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination,” he asserted.

Ambassador Iftikhar urged the UN Security Council to take immediate notice of the escalating crisis, warning that the situation could spiral into a full-blown conflict. “We reserve the right to request a Security Council meeting at an appropriate time,” he said, adding that Pakistan has already engaged with key Council members.

He welcomed the UN Secretary-General’s offer of mediation and confirmed Pakistan’s readiness to accept third-party facilitation. “We encourage the Secretary-General to visit both Pakistan and India to help de-escalate tensions,” he said.

Responding to questions, the ambassador acknowledged the roles of the US and China in urging restraint but stressed that more decisive diplomacy is needed. “The US, as a permanent Security Council member with influence over India, must push harder for de-escalation,” he said. He also praised China’s consistent calls for dialogue, describing Beijing as a crucial strategic partner.

When pressed on Pakistan’s military preparedness, Ambassador Iftikhar declined to discuss operational details but affirmed that Pakistan’s response to any aggression would be “firm and proportionate.” He dismissed concerns over Pakistan’s ability to handle simultaneous threats, stating, “Our armed forces are fully capable of defending our borders on all fronts.”

Concluding his remarks, Ambassador Iftikhar appealed for global intervention to prevent a catastrophic conflict in South Asia. “Nearly two billion people live in this region. Escalation benefits no one. It is time for sanity, dialogue, and diplomacy to prevail,” he urged.

The briefing ended with Pakistan reiterating its commitment to peace but making clear that any Indian aggression would be met with a decisive response.