——— Adds development came during hotline contact between Pakistan, India DGMOs
——— Says things will ultimately go to dialogue between the civilian leadership
——— Maintians Pakistan never requested ceasefire from anyone
——— Asserts all matters will be discussed at dialogue table
——— Senate passes resolution paying tribute to Armed Forces
By Anzal Amin
ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Thursday said that the ceasefire between India and Pakistan was ex-tended until May 18, adding that the matter will “ultimately go to dialogue” between the civilian lead-ership of the two nations.
The military confrontation between India and Pakistan came as the former blamed Islamabad for the Pahalgam attack. On the night of May 6-7, New Delhi launched a series of air strikes on Pakistan, re-sulting in civilian casualties. Both sides then exchanged missiles, which stretched over the week. It took American intervention for both sides to finally drop their guns.
On Monday, the director general of military operations for both sides held the first round of talks via hotline after the ceasefire. Speaking in the Senate today, FM Dar said that a military-to-military conversation took place between the two countries today, where they decided to extend the ceasefire until May 18. “Ultimately, the matter will go to dialogue between the civilian leadership of the countries,” FM Dar said. “Right now, these are military-to-military communications.” He said that a political dialogue would take place between the two countries and that a “resolution for all the problems will be discussed”.
“We have told the world that we will carry out a composite dialogue,” Dar said.
A day prior, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif invited India to a comprehensive dialogue to address all contentious issues, including the Kashmir dispute and the water distribution, between the two nucle-ar-armed neighbours.
According to the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP), Dar said that Pakistan did not request a ceasefire during the recent escalation with India.
Instead, it [ceasefire] was initiated following a call from the US Secretary of State, who conveyed that India was willing to halt hostilities, Dar said.
Dar emphasised that Pakistan had exercised restraint and communicated this to all friendly nations even before the outbreak of hostilities.
“We told our friends we would not initiate an attack, but we would certainly respond if provoked,” he said, adding that Pakistan’s response was measured, decisive, and in line with international norms.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that the victory in Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos has not only changed the world’s perception about Pakistan but also the regional equation.
Paying tribute to the bravery and proficiency of Pakistan Air Force (PAF) falcons for inflicting a crushing defeat on the enemy during the operation, the premier said the success has also strengthened the belief of our friends and supporters in us.
Addressing the PAF falcons during his visit to Kamra Airbase today, PM Shehbaz said the PAF falcons “blew away the enemy’s pride into dust in a matter of just a few hours”.
He said, “Our daring eagles have taught a lesson to the enemy that if it ever tries to engage in any mis-adventure again, it will be served a destructive blow.”
The prime minister vowed that the nation will never forget the sacrifices of those martyred during this unprovoked aggression of the enemy.
He said we will uphold the dignity of our martyrs’ sacrifices and will build a prosperous and great coun-try.
Directing his address to India, the premier said while India’s war-fever is over, we are ready to talk with it for peace.
He said let us remind India of the conditions for peace foremost among which is ensuring the right to self-determination for Kashmiri people under UNSC resolutions.
The prime minister said India mocked itself globally by unjustifiably blaming Pakistan for the Pahalgam incident, while there are irrefutable pieces of evidence of India’s involvement in terrorist activities in-side Pakistan.
Separately, the Senate passed a resolution paying tribute to the armed forces for demonstrating “un-wavering resolve, unparalleled Professionalism, and steadfast dedication in the successful execution of Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos.”
The resolution, presented by Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, said the operation was carried out with exceptional restraint and maturity, reflecting the conduct of a responsible nuclear state.
It congratulated the people of Pakistan for rising above all political, ethnic, and ideological divides and differences, demonstrating unity in support of national leadership across the political spectrum and speaking with one voice and one purpose to defend the people, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and dignity of the country.
It honoured the sacrifices of the valiant martyrs who laid down their lives in the defence of the sover-eignty and national honour of the country.
It condemned “the brutal and unprovoked Indian attacks on innocent civilians, including women, chil-dren and mosques”.
It urged the government to proactively engage the international community for a peaceful, just and lasting resolution of the Indian-held Kashmir, stressing the critical importance of strict adherence to the Indus water treaty.
