Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, talking on live on Samaa TV, has said that Pakistan displayed enormous restraint during the latest heightened tensions with India and replied only after their patience was tested.
He insisted that Pakistani moves were purely defensive in nature and not a provocative one, claiming that Pakistan displayed evidence of whatever has been occurred.
“Political channels are in progress, and we have been patient to a great extent,” Dar said. “But when the patience meter is full, we react. And that’s what we did — a firm reaction in our defense.”
He once again asserted Pakistan’s intention to de-escalate, as long as India stops its aggressive stance. “If India stops, we will stop,” Dar said. “We speak about equality. Fighting is not the solution to anything.”
Speaking of global mediatory efforts, Dar disclosed US Secretary of State Marco Rubio being assured that Pakistan will back away if India will not continue armed action. “But we don’t want promises. We did it in our self-defense.”
US, Saudi Arabia Urge India and Pakistan to De-escalate
He also assured that the United States and Saudi Arabia have urged both countries to pull back from the edge. “We informed them that if India halts, we will halt as well. That’s our clear position.”
Emphasizing the professionalism and courage of Pakistan’s military, Dar stated, “Our troops have held the country’s head high with pride while representing all.”
He called for the blame game to stop, declaring that Pakistan did not start the war and recent retaliatory action was both calculated and justified. “The cycle of blaming Pakistan has to end. We have not taken the initiative in any of this, but we will not let aggression go unchecked.”
Dar finished by stating that the past 48 hours had been accounted for by Pakistan in upholding its position and maintaining its sovereignty with dignity.
