Amid India’s unrelenting provocative measures following its reckless missile attacks on civilian targets in Pakistan, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif told US Secretary of State Marco Rubio that “Pakistan reserves the right to act in self-defence.”
Premier Sharif received a telephone call from Secretary Rubio on Thursday evening in which they discussed the evolving situation in the South Asian region, according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office.
The development came on a day when Pakistan’s military neutralised 25 Israel-supplied Harop drones – called loitering munition – sent by India over multiple cities, including some major urban centres, in a move that sharply escalated tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.
The prime minister conveyed Pakistan’s strong condemnation of India's missile and drone strikes that has led to the death of 31 civilians and damage to civilian infrastructures. “India’s attacks have violated Pakistan's sovereignty and territorial integrity, while gravely jeopardising peace and stability in the South Asia region,” he added.
Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan's firm resolve to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity at all costs. “The people of Pakistan are outraged by India's unprovoked acts of war,” he further said and stressed that Pakistan reserves the right to act in self-defence, in accordance with Article-51 of the UN Charter.
Premier Sharif appreciated US President Donald Trump’s concern over the current security situation in South Asia.
Rubio said the United States is closely following the situation in South Asia as it is committed to promoting peace and stability in the region. He also stressed the need for both Pakistan and India to work closely to deescalate the situation.
Both sides agreed to remain in touch, according to the PMO statement.
US secretary of state also spoke with India’s External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, according to a statement issued by a State Department spokesperson, Tammy Bruce.
“The secretary emphasised the need for immediate de-escalation. He expressed US support for direct dialogue between India and Pakistan and encouraged continued efforts to improve communications,” Bruce added. “The secretary reiterated his condolences for the horrific terrorist attack in Pahalgam and reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to work with India in the fight against terrorism.”
Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar spoke to the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas to discuss the regional situation.
Ishaq Dar, who is also the foreign minister of Pakistan, thanked Kallas for the EU’s support and solidarity with Pakistan during these difficult times. He strongly condemned India’s blatant act of war, which violated Pakistan’s sovereignty and jeopardised regional peace and stability.
Stressing that India’s actions were in violation of the UN Charter, international law, and the norms governing interstate relations, Dar rejected India’s baseless claims of targeting terrorist infrastructure. He reiterated that there was no credible evidence linking Pakistan to the Pahalgam attack.
He added that Pakistan reserved the right to respond appropriately at a time and place of its choosing, in accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter and as enshrined in international law.
Kaja Kallas, who is also Vice-President of the Commission (HR/VP), expressed heartfelt condolences for the loss of civilian lives and extended her sympathies to the families of the victims. She reiterated that both sides must exercise full restraint and pursue dialogue and diplomacy.
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