Shehbaz Sharif slams India over Pahalgam attack response, raises Kashmir and Gaza at ECO Summit
PTC Web Desk: Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has accused India of escalating regional tensions following the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam, alleging "unprovoked and reckless hostility" aimed at destabilising peace in South Asia.
Addressing the Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO) Summit in Azerbaijan — one of the countries that supported Pakistan during the recent Operation Sindoor conflict — Sharif reiterated Pakistan’s stance on the Kashmir issue, condemning what he called "barbaric acts" against civilians in the Union Territory.
"The unprovoked and reckless Indian hostility directed towards Pakistan after an unfortunate incident in Jammu and Kashmir was yet another attempt to destabilise regional peace," he stated, referring to the April 22 attack in Pahalgam's Baisaran Valley that claimed the lives of 25 tourists and a local resident. The Resistance Front (TRF), a group linked to the Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba, claimed responsibility for the attack.
In retaliation, India launched Operation Sindoor, targeting nine terror camps deep inside Pakistan. The conflict rapidly escalated, with Pakistan responding through drone attacks, which were effectively neutralised by Indian forces. Hostilities ended on May 10, following Pakistan’s request for a ceasefire after sustained Indian strikes on its military infrastructure.
During his address, Sharif also took indirect aim at Israel, criticising recent airstrikes on Iran as "acts of aggression." Israel’s Operation Rising Lion, launched in June to counter Iran's nuclear ambitions, led to more than 600 casualties before a 12-day truce was reached.
“Pakistan stands firmly against those who perpetrate barbaric acts against innocent people anywhere in the world, whether in Gaza, Kashmir, or Iran,” Sharif added, drawing parallels between violence in these regions.
- With inputs from agencies
