On the first anniversary of the Pahalgam attack, Islamabad strongly criticized New Delhi for not presenting any credible proof to support its allegations against Pakistan. In a televised address, Federal Minister for Information Attaullah Tarar highlighted India’s refusal to agree to an independent investigation into what Pakistan describes as a “false flag operation.”
The two long-standing adversaries went to war in May last year after India launched an unprovoked strike on Pakistan, following the deadly assault on tourists in Pahalgam, located in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), which claimed 26 lives. India accused Pakistan of orchestrating this attack without providing any evidence, a claim Islamabad has consistently denied while urging New Delhi to allow a neutral inquiry.
Following these unfounded accusations, India carried out missile strikes inside Pakistan, resulting in the deaths of several civilians and security personnel. Pakistan responded by shooting down seven Indian fighter jets, including three Rafale aircraft, destroying dozens of drones, and neutralizing an S-400 defense system. The conflict between the two nuclear-armed neighbors concluded on May 10 with a ceasefire brokered by the United States.
In his statement, Tarar described the Pahalgam incident as emblematic of a mindset marked by “hollowness, illogical thinking, false pride, arrogance, and greed.” He noted that despite a year passing, India has failed to address concerns or provide satisfactory explanations. He accused India of consistently framing its internal problems as external threats, while treating internationally recognized disputes, such as IIOJK, as domestic matters.
Tarar emphasized that terrorism is a domestic issue for India, yet it projects it externally, whereas the IIOJK dispute is an internationally acknowledged concern that India misrepresents as internal. He further stated that India’s conduct regarding the Pahalgam attack aligns with its historical pattern of false flag operations, resorting to crude tactics to manipulate the narrative.
Highlighting Pakistan’s proposal for an impartial investigation, which was declined by India without meaningful response, Tarar said this refusal only deepens suspicions about the true nature of the incident. He pointed out that the FIR against the attack was registered within ten minutes, an unusual act given the distance from the police station, suggesting prior planning. This has raised questions among international media, Indian civil society, politicians, and think tanks.
Tarar criticized Indian media for creating a war-like environment through fabricated and baseless reports, damaging its credibility on the global stage. Expanding on broader issues, he condemned the deprivation of minority rights in India under the Hindutva ideology and noted violence against Muslims. He accused India of using terrorism as a state policy, citing incidents involving Sikh leaders abroad and the arrest of Kulbhushan Jadhav as evidence of Indian involvement in such activities.
Pakistan possesses concrete evidence of India’s role in terrorist activities within its borders, including the use of groups like the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) to destabilize the country. This evidence has been shared with the international community and media. Tarar also referenced terrorist attacks in Pakistan, such as the Jaffar Express and Khuzdar incidents, as examples of India’s destabilizing efforts.
He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to eradicating terrorism, stating that the entire nation stands united in this goal. Pakistan will not compromise its sovereignty, dignity, or security and will continue taking necessary measures to counter terrorism. Tarar dismissed recent Indian military statements about new operations as signs of failure and warned that any misadventure would be met with a swift and decisive response.
Regarding Pakistan’s military campaign “Marka-e-Haq,” Tarar declared it a decisive victory over India, recognized globally, while India faces growing isolation. He praised the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir for their unified approach to national defense and peace efforts.
Concluding, Tarar described Pakistan as a strong and united nation and offered prayers for ongoing peace, stability, and prosperity.
