A meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC) is currently in progress, chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, to assess the situation arising from recent developments following New Delhi’s response to the Pahalgam attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
The high-level security huddle is reviewing regional security and diplomatic implications of India’s actions post-attack, as well as evaluating Pakistan’s position and policy response. Key civil and military leadership are in attendance to provide input on the emerging situation.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said that the NSC will issue a “comprehensive reply” to India’s accusations, which he described as lacking both seriousness and evidence.
FM Dar criticised India’s “knee-jerk reaction” to the killing of 26 tourists in Pahalgam, stressing that no links to Pakistan had been established. “This is unjustified anger,” he remarked, “and it amounts to scapegoating Pakistan for internal failures.”
He further asserted that the Indus Waters Treaty cannot be unilaterally suspended, as it is an international agreement mediated by the World Bank.
Sources said the NSC meeting would review the overall security situation and chalk out a strategy in the wake fears of a potential all-out conflict with India.
Meanwhile, sources told The Express Tribune that the government has decided to give a strong diplomatic response to India’s brinkmanship, and false propaganda against Pakistan after the Pahalgam attack.
“The Indian drama will be exposed on all international forums. The propaganda of the [Prime Minister Narendra] Modi government will be exposed and every strategy of India will be thwarted at the global level through diplomatic means,” a source said.
According to sources, consultations are under way at the highest level and any future strategy would be approved by the prime minister. The sources said that Pakistan has already rejected the India’s previous allegations and this time too, the Modi government has no evidence to substantiate its allegations.
On Wednesday, Pakistan’s foreign ministry offered condolences over the loss of tourist lives. “We are concerned at the loss of tourists’ lives in an attack in Anantnag district of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. We extend our condolences to the near ones of the deceased and wish the injured a speedy recovery,” the Foreign Office said in a statement.
