Islamabad: Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar has urged India to rethink its present hostile and misguided policies that threaten peace and undermine security in South Asia. Addressing an event marking the 52nd anniversary of the Institute of Strategic Studies in Islamabad, he mentioned that Pakistan swiftly retaliated to the recent Indian escalation with a quid pro quo plus response.
According to Radio Pakistan, during the four-day war, Pakistan underscored the reality that India can neither intimidate nor coerce Pakistan. Ishaq Dar emphasized that Pakistan remains determined to protect its rights under the Indus Water Treaty, rejecting attempts by India to weaponize water for geopolitical objectives. He stated that India's unilateral action of putting the treaty in abeyance lacks validity and affirmed Pakistan's commitment to mobilizing international and legal forums to highlight India's violations.
He insisted Pakistan would not allow India to hold its 240 million people hostage to hydro terrorism. The Deputy Prime Minister reiterated Pakistan's commitment to a peaceful and cooperative relationship with all its neighbors, including India, advocating for peace with dignity and honor.
Ishaq Dar noted that sustainable peace in South Asia depends on a just solution for Indian illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, in line with UN Security Council resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people. He called for re-imagining regional cooperation in South Asia, proposing that countries could form groups on issues from economy to technology to connectivity, noting a recent trilateral mechanism between Pakistan, China, and Bangladesh.
The Deputy Prime Minister highlighted Pakistan's contributions to peace, security, and sustainable development, attributing its improved global profile to constructive engagement with the international community. He expressed concerns over recent developments in the Middle East, urging the global community to prevent Israel from its actions in Gaza and stressing the necessity for Palestinians to gain their right to self-determination.