Pakistan ready for neutral probe into Pahalgam attack: Sharif | India News

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif expressed Saturday his country’s willingness to participate in a neutral, transparent, and credible investigation into Tuesday’s terrorist attack in Pahalgam, while criticising New Delhi for leveling “baseless allegations” against Islamabad without verifiable evidence.
Addressing graduating cadets at the Pakistan Military Academy in Kakul, Sharif’s speech took a defiant tone as he reaffirmed Pakistan’s military readiness. “Nobody should remain under any false pretence. Our armed forces are fully capable and prepared to defend the country against any misadventure, as demonstrated by our resolute response to India in Feb 2019,” he said, referring to Pakistan’s retaliation following the Pulwama attack. While stressing that “peace is our preference,” he warned it should not be mistaken for weakness.
J&K CM Omar Abdullah questioned Sharif’s offer to join any “neutral and transparent” probe into the Pahalgam massacre. “What did he say first? He said India got this done. Those people have already levelled allegations on us. Now it is difficult to say anything else,” Omar said.
Sharif criticised what he called India’s “perpetual blame game”, saying the cycle of accusations must “come to a grinding halt”. “The recent tragedy in Pahalgam is yet another example of this cycle,” he said. “Continuing with its role as a responsible country, Pakistan is open to participating in any neutral, transparent and credible investigation.”
The attack, one of the deadliest in J&K since the 2019 Pulwama bombing, killed 26 people — mostly tourists. It has sharply inflamed tensions between the two neighbours.
India has cited “technical intelligence” and “credible information” pointing to a Pakistan-based link, with some officials alleging involvement of the country’s spy agency ISI.
Tensions have been further aggravated by India’s recent suspension of the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty in response to the Pahalgam attack. Sharif warned that any attempt to block or divert Pakistan’s share of water would provoke a “full-force response”, calling water a “vital national interest”.
Adding to the volatile rhetoric, Pakistan’s defence minister Khawaja Asif earlier warned that any Indian military action could trigger an “all-out war”, referencing the nuclear capabilities of both nations. Asif also accused India of using the attack for domestic political gains, a claim that has worsened diplomatic strains.
Sharif reiterated Pakistan’s support for the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination, calling Kashmir the “jugular vein” of his country. “As the world’s frontline state against terrorism, we have endured immense loss,” he said, pushing back against narratives portraying Pakistan as a sponsor of terrorism.
The international community is closely monitoring the situation, with growing concerns that miscalculations could spark a broader conflict. While Sharif’s speech projected strength to a domestic audience, his offer of a neutral investigation signaled a cautious openness to de-escalation at a time of heightened risk, political experts said.
(With inputs from Naseer Ganai in Srinagar)