Pakistan on Tuesday rejected Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's claim that Islamabad had sought a ceasefire, and warned that the country's armed forces remained vigilant to respond to any misadventure.
Modi on Monday spoke for the first time after the five-day conflict between Pakistan and India and insisted that Islamabad had "begged for a truce". He also said that hostilities were only paused and India would conduct similar strikes if there was another terrorist attack.
In a detailed rejoinder issued here, the Foreign Office categorically rejected Modi's "provocative and inflammatory assertions." It termed Modi's remarks misleading narratives to justify his country's aggression against Pakistan.
"At a time when international efforts are being made for regional peace and stability, this statement represents a dangerous escalation rooted in misinformation, political opportunism, and a blatant disregard for international law," the Foreign Office said in a statement.
"This statement also reflects a propensity to fabricate misleading narratives to justify aggression," it added. The statement said that Pakistan remained committed to the recent ceasefire understanding and taking necessary steps towards de-escalation and regional stability.
The ceasefire, it said, was achieved as a result of the facilitation of several friendly countries which contacted Pakistan with a message of de-escalation. The portrayal of Pakistan as seeking a ceasefire in "despair and frustration is yet another blatant lie", the Foreign Office said.
The statement launched a broadside against Modi for exploiting the Pahalgam attack for political purposes and accusing Pakistan without providing a shred of evidence.
"The Pahalgam attack is being exploited without credible evidence to malign Pakistan, justify military adventurism by contriving a casus belli, serve domestic political objectives, deflect attention from rising communal tensions, human rights violations in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, and reinforce a manufactured narrative of a perpetual external threat," the Foreign Office statement said.
"After the unlawful and unprovoked Indian aggression against innocent Pakistani civilians on false pretext of terrorism, and despite Pakistan's restraint, India recklessly provoked the situation further by targeting Pakistan's military bases, risking an uncontrollable escalatory spiral."
The Foreign Office said that Indian actions set a dangerous precedent for aggression, dragging the entire region to the brink of disaster. "This reflects the mindset of a revisionist actor that seeks to upend strategic stability in South Asia without regard for consequences," it warned.
"Moreover, India is justifying the cold-blooded murder of innocent civilians, mostly women and children, as well as its highly irresponsible brinkmanship as the "new normal" for the region," the Foreign Office continued.
The "normal" remains that no one would be allowed to challenge the principles and purposes of the UN Charter, as amply demonstrated by Pakistan in resolutely defending its sovereignty, territorial integrity, as well as the security of its people, it added.
"Make no mistake, we will closely monitor India's actions and behaviour in this regard in the coming days. We also urge the international community to do the same," it said.
Consistent with its right to self-defence, according to the Foreign Office, Pakistan's response to Indian aggression was calibrated and targeted against military installations. "Pakistan proved its strength against Indian military capability and targets. It is now an indisputable and well-known fact which cannot be denied by misinformation and propaganda."
The Foreign Office said that India's illegal and unilateral actions were also reflected by its blatant disregard for the sanctity of binding agreements like the Indus Water Treaty (IWT) that governed shared water resources for decades.
"Pakistan will take all necessary measures to preserve its rights under the Treaty," the statement said. "Pakistan is a victim of terrorism, being directly sponsored by India. We have suffered a lot due to this scourge. Our contributions and sacrifices in the global fight against terrorism are well known."
The Foreign Office said that Pakistan had always supported the peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, in accordance with the UN Security Council (UNSC) resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.
"In this regard, we reiterate our support for [US] President [Donald] Trump's efforts aimed at the resolution of this dispute, which remains a source of instability in South Asia. In this era, peace is the true strength. The world is not served by theatrical militarism and grandstanding but by mature leadership, regional cooperation, and respect for international norms," the statement added.
"Pakistan is a sovereign nation with resilient institutions, a committed populace, and a globally recognised role in maintaining peace and security. Our commitment to peace must never be mistaken for weakness."
The Foreign Office warned that any future aggression will also be met with full resolve. "We hope India will prioritise regional stability and the well-being of its citizens over the narrow, politically-motivated jingoism," it stated.
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