Latest news with #IndianIllegally
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Pakistan launches diplomatic offensive against India
A Pakistani multi-party delegation led by PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari briefs China's Permanent Representative to UN Fu Cong on the recent escalation with India at the UN. Photo: Express Two multi-party delegations dispatched by Pakistan to key world capitals as part of its diplomatic offensive against India, began their high-level interactions on Monday, with Bilawal Bhutto Zardari-led delegation holding talks with China and Russia's UN ambassadors in New York. On the direction of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, two separate delegations began their tour of New York, Washington, London, Brussels and Moscow in order to brief these countries about Pakistan's stance in view of the recent military escalation with India. Bilawal, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chairman, is currently in New York, leading a nine-member delegation, comprising parliamentarians and former diplomats. Another delegation, led by Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) Tariq Fatemi, is visiting Moscow. According to the Foreign Office, the delegations were scheduled to engage in a series of meetings with the leadership of international bodies, public office holders, senior officials, parliamentarians, think tanks, media and diaspora. Bilawal started his two-day visit to New York with an interview with a foreign news channel. Later, he met with China's Permanent Representative to UN Fu Cong and Russia's Permanent Representative Vassily Nebenziaand. According to Express News, Bilawal thanked China for supporting Pakistan during the conflict with India. He apprised the Chinese ambassador of Pakistan's responsible behaviour after April 22 attack in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) resort of Pahalgam. Bilawal said that India had rejected Pakistan's offer for a transparent and impartial investigation into the attack. He stressed that the resolution of the Kashmir issue was indispensable for a lasting peace in South Asia. The Pakistan delegation urged China to play its role in this regard. While expressing serious concerns over India's targeting of Pakistani citizens during the four-day conflict, the delegation urged the international community to move beyond conflict management and towards dispute resolution. During the meeting, there were unanimity between both sides in opposing unilateral actions and aggression. Both the sides emphasised the need for respecting the UN Charter, international laws and agreements. They also opposed India's decision to weaponise water. The delegation comprised Dr Musadik Malik; Sherry Rehman; Hina Rabbani Khar; Engr Khurram Dastgir Khan; Faisal Subzwari; Bushra Anjum Butt, Ambassador (retd) Jalil Abbas Jilani, and Ambassador (retd) Tehmina Janjua. Later, the delegation briefed the Russia's UN ambassador on the situation following the Pahalgam attack, rejecting India's baseless accusations against Pakistan without any evidence, and highlighting its premature and unilateral actions, including the holding in abeyance of the Indus Waters Treaty. He noted that Pakistan's measured and proportionate response - guided by restraint and international law - was aimed at preserving regional peace and avoiding a wider conflict. He underlined that Pakistan was the biggest victim of terrorism in which more than 80,000 civilians have lost their lives. He also apprised the Russian diplomat of India's sponsorship of terrorism inside Pakistan. He underscored that durable peace in the region hinged on the just and peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with international law. On the occasion, Climate Change Minister Musadik Malik highlighted the humanitarian implications of holding the IWT in abeyance. Highlighting Pakistan's mature and restrained approach, the delegation reiterated the country's commitment to peace, dialogue, and regional stability. In an interview earlier, Bilawal reiterated Pakistan's desire for peace through "dignity, strength and diplomacy", and termed India's actions after the Pahalgam attack dangerous and a violation of the international law. "No lasting solution is possible without resolving Jammu and Kashmir dispute," he said, emphasising that the current ceasefire should lead to permanent peace, which would come through the resolution of the Kashmir dispute in line with the UN Security Council resolutions and aspirations of Kashmiri people. India's unilateral decision to hold Indus Water Treaty (IWT) in abeyance violated the international law and the treaty obligations. "By unilaterally suspending the IWT, India has set a dangerous precedent with implications for regional peace and security," he warned. He added that Pakistan wanted that the international community played its role in facilitating dialogue between Pakistan and India. "We are ready to talk to India on Jammu and Kashmir; IWT and terrorism," Bilawal pointed out. He also said Pakistan is a victim of terrorism; from political leadership to military to Pakistani citizens; we have been affected by terrorism. "While India committed naked and blatant act of aggression by violating international border, Pakistan acted in self-defence," he said. The delegation's US engagements on Tuesday, included meetings with the US lawmakers, think tanks, and media representatives. A meeting of the Pakistani delegation with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is also on the cards. The visits of the delegations aim at projecting Pakistan's perspective on the recent Indian aggression. The Foreign Office said that they would engage in a series of meetings with the leadership of international bodies, public office holders, officials, parliamentarians, think tanks, media and diaspora. "The delegations will highlight Pakistan's responsible and restrained conduct – seeking peace with responsibility – in the face of India's reckless and belligerent actions. They will also highlight that dialogue and diplomacy should take precedence over conflict and confrontation," the Foreign Office said. "The delegations will underscore the imperative for the international community to play its due role in promoting a lasting peace in South Asia. The need for immediate resumption of the normal functioning of the Indus Waters Treaty will also be a key theme of the delegations' outreach." Meanwhile, responding to media queries concerning a flurry of antagonistic statements made by the Indian leaders as well as remarks made by the Indian external affairs ministry spokesperson, the Foreign Office spokesperson said that facts could not be obscured by hollow narratives. The Indian leadership's recent remarks, including those made in Bihar, reflected a deeply troubling mindset that prioritised hostility over peace, the spokesperson stated. "Any attempt to portray Pakistan as the source of regional instability is divorced from reality," he added. According to the Foreign Office spokesperson, the international community was well aware of India's record of aggressive behaviour, including documented support for terrorist activities within Pakistan. "These facts cannot be obscured by hollow narratives or diversionary tactics." The spokesperson stated that the Jammu and Kashmir dispute remained the core issue and Pakistan would continue to stand firm in advocating for a just and lasting resolution to the dispute in line with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people. "To sidestep this fundamental issue is to condemn the region to continued mistrust and potential confrontation," he said. "The developments of recent weeks have once again underscored the utter futility of jingoism and coercion," the spokesperson said. The spokesperson emphasised that "India cannot and will not achieve its objectives" through threats, misrepresentation, or force, saying that Pakistan was equally resolved to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity against any aggression. "Durable peace in South Asia demands maturity, restraint, and a willingness to address the root causes of conflictnot the pursuit of narrow political gains at the expense of regional harmony," the Foreign Office spokesperson stated. (WITH INPUTS FROM KHALID MAHMOOD)
Express Tribune
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Pakistan warns India: don't weaponise water
Listen to article Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry has warned India against weaponising water, saying it could unleash consequences that echo for generations, as New Delhi threatens to halt the flow of Indus River waters amid rising tensions. Speaking in an interview with Arab News, DG ISPR Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry cautioned that any move by India to block Pakistan's water would cross a red line. "It is some madman who can think that he can stop water of 240 million plus people of this country," he said. "I hope that time doesn't come, but it will be such actions that the world will see and the consequences of that we will fight for years and decades to come. Nobody dare stop water of Pakistan." The sharp remarks come in the wake of India's unilateral suspension of the decades-old Indus Waters Treaty last month, following a deadly attack on tourists in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), which New Delhi blamed on Pakistan — a claim Islamabad has categorically denied. Since then, the region has once again been pushed to the brink. In early May, India launched a barrage of cross-border strikes, not only across the Line of Control (LoC) but also into Pakistan's mainland, claiming it was targeting militant hideouts. Pakistan hit back, targeting 26 Indian military sites before a US-brokered ceasefire brought operations to a halt on May 10. However, calm has remained fragile. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's declaration this week that India would cut off Indus waters flowing into Pakistan has reignited fears of escalation. For Islamabad, such a move is tantamount to an act of war. Despite the ceasefire, the DG ISPR maintained that Pakistan remains committed to peace, but with eyes wide open. "Pakistan armed forces are a professional armed forces and we adhere to the commitments that we make, and we follow in letter and spirit the instructions of the political government and the commitments that they hold," he said. "As far as Pakistan Army is concerned, this ceasefire will hold easily and there have been confidence building measures in communication between both the sides," he added. Since the truce, both nations have accused each other of ceasefire violations, a familiar back-and-forth that risks tipping the balance yet again. Chaudhry stressed that Pakistan's response has been proportionate and precise. "If any violation occurs, our response is always there ... but it is only directed at those posts and those positions from where the violations of the ceasefire happen. We never target the civilians. We never target any civil infrastructure." The DG ISPR revealed that India lost six aircraft, including French-built Rafales and a Mirage 2000, as well as a prized Russian-made S-400 air defence system, during the four-day exchange. Earlier reports had put the number at five, but Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif confirmed the sixth loss this week. "I can confirm that the sixth aircraft is a Mirage 2000," Lt Gen Chaudhry said. "We only targeted the aircraft ... We could have taken out more, but we showed restraint," he noted. Looking ahead, Chaudhry warned that the spectre of renewed conflict will continue to haunt the region unless the core issue - Kashmir - is addressed head-on. "Their policy on Kashmir is not working," he stated. "Till the time Indians don't sit and talk about Kashmir, then (as) two countries we sit, and we find a solution to it, the conflict potential is there." 'Peace is our first priority' Separately, in a firm riposte to regional misperceptions, the DG ISPR said that Pakistan is not a belligerent actor but a country that values peace above all. "We are not a violent nation, we are a serious nation. Our first priority is peace," Lt Gen Chaudhry told RT Arabic in an interview, as reported by PTV News. "Great and sensible powers like the United States understand better what the spirit of Pakistan's people is," he added. Peeling back the layers of the ceasefire negotiations in the wake of Pakistan's retaliatory Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos, Lt Gen Chaudhry revealed that the initial call for truce came from the Indian side. According to him, the spokesperson for India's defence ministry had "personally requested a ceasefire". "We desire peace and stability, so we said, why not?" he was quoted as saying by PTV News. Acknowledging the diplomatic legwork behind the agreement, the military spokesperson lauded the role of Pakistani diplomats who rose to the occasion with "great wisdom and in an extraordinary manner". "Pakistan, with great maturity, responded promptly, firmly and effectively, forcing the enemy to face reality," he asserted, referencing the downing of five Indian air jets in retaliation for India's deadly airstrikes during the night of May 6-7. "The nation and the Pakistan armed forces stood united like an unbreakable wall," he said. Recounting the tense events of May 9-10, Lt Gen Chaudhry described how the conflict neared a boiling point as both sides engaged in a show of strength. He stated that India fired more missiles overnight in a bid to intimidate Pakistan, but underestimated the nation's resolve. "The enemy fired more missiles on the night of May 9 and 10 to scare us. India forgot that Pakistan's nation and its forces neither bow nor can be made to bow. On the morning of May 10, we responded, targeting only their military objectives with utmost responsibility and caution," he said. "Not a single civilian target was harmed; it was an appropriate, just and balanced response," he emphasised. 'India rejected logical neutral probe' Turning to the origins of the conflict, the DG ISPR stressed that understanding the full context of Pakistan-India tensions requires examining the broader backdrop. "India is hiding behind a false narrative to conceal the truth," he said, referring to the Pahalgam incident. He pointed out that while Indian media began accusing Pakistan within minutes of the event, their own foreign office admitted two days later that investigations were still underway. "Where is the wisdom in making allegations without investigation and evidence?" he questioned. Lt Gen Chaudhry underlined that the Pakistani government had taken a principled stance by offering to cooperate with a neutral and impartial investigation, a proposal that was dismissed by New Delhi. "India rejected this logical offer and, acting unilaterally, fired missiles at our mosques, martyring children, women, and elders," he said. Affirming the military's unwavering commitment, the ISPR chief underscored that defending the nation's territorial integrity remains a sacred trust. "The sacred responsibility entrusted to the Pakistan armed forces is to protect the country's sovereignty and borders," he stated, adding that the forces had fulfilled this duty and would "continue to do so at all costs". The DG ISPR also reiterated longstanding concerns about India's alleged role in destabilising Pakistan through covert support for terrorism. "India is the real sponsor of ongoing terrorism in Pakistan, whether it is the khawarij or terrorist groups active in Balochistan," he said, explicitly referencing the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), also known as Fitna Al Khawarij.
Express Tribune
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Security sources reveal details of Pakistan's massive cyberattack against India
Security sources have shared details regarding major cyber counter-offensive by Pakistan, under Operation Bunyanum Marsoos, launched in response to Indian aggression, targeting key infrastructure sectors across India. The cyber wing of Pakistan's armed forces was 'actively involved' in the operation, inflicted significant disruptions across multiple Indian domains, including power infrastructure and petroleum systems, they added. Security sources reavealed that the Pakistani cyber team caused severe damage to Indian communications, disabling official government emails and the OTP infrastructure, adding that the national communications suffered heavy disruption. Read More:Pakistan and India agree to immediate ceasefire Sources confirmed that India's surveillance systems were also reportedly compromised. Hackers destroyed communication hardware and defaced numerous Indian websites, they added. Servers at Indian airports were taken down, impacting the Indian Air Force's communications and interrupting railway systems across several regions, sources further revealed. They said the Pakistani team gained access to India's national, eastern, northern, and western load dispatch centres, temporarily disabling systems, adding that the breach cut electricity to approximately 80% of Indian consumers for a limited period. According to internal reports, over 4,600 power feeders in Maharashtra, 3,600 in Uttar Pradesh, and more than 600 in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) were hacked and disconnected. In Indian Punjab, two AI-powered servers at the load dispatch centre were disabled. Meanwhile, in Karnataka, more than 235 solar and wind grid stations were hacked and rendered inoperative. Read More:Pakistan downs five Indian fighter jets in retaliation for India's missile attack Sources shared that the databases of Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (HPCL) and Indraprastha Gas Ltd (IGPL) were also targeted. Over 4,400 government and public-sector communication routers were also brought down, they added. Sources further revealed that a large-scale Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack was launched on major Indian government, military, air force, stock exchange, and public-sector servers. The attack paralysed internal communications and email/OTP workflows. 'More than 3,500 CCTV cameras installed in government buildings, hospitals, highways, and public zones were also reportedly hacked,' they added. In Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), over 250 key ISP routers were compromised, resulting in localised internet outages, sources said. The operation accessed and extracted data from over 90 government and corporate sector websites, including those belonging to the Indian Air Force, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd, Border Security Force, Unique Identification Authority of India, and Indian Railways. Moreover, airport servers in Mumbai, Delhi, and Kolkata were among those hacked, sources stated. The Indian Air Force's communication systems across its northern, southern, and western commands were disrupted while Indian Railways also experienced operational delays due to compromised servers. Read More: Pakistan Army announces conclusion of Operation Bunyanum Marsoos Pakistan Armed Forces conducted Operation Bunyanum Marsoos on May 10 as part of the military conflict 'Marka-e-Haq' in response to Indian military's dastardly attacks that began on the night of May 6 and 7, resulting in the loss of innocent civilian lives, including women, children, and the elderly. Pakistan deployed its Al-Fatah missile and targeted multiple Indian military installations. However, after the intervention of US President Donald Trump, a full and immediate ceasefire was reached between India and Pakistan. PAF also shot down at least five indian jets in response to unprovoked aggression and airspace violations. According to the military spokesperson, the aircraft shot down included three Rafale jets, one MiG-29, one SU-series aircraft, and an Israeli-made Heron combat drone. The jets were downed in multiple locations, including Bhatinda, Jammu, Akhnoor, Srinagar, and Avantipur. A full and immediate ceasefire between India and Pakistan was announced on May 10, following days of heightened military exchanges that brought the two nuclear-armed neighbours to the brink of war. Read More: PM Shehbaz confident IWT, Kashmir issues with India will be resolved The announcement was first made by US President Donald Trump and later confirmed by Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Tensions escalated between India and Pakistan after the Pahalgam attack in IIOJK. India blamed Pakistan-based elements without presenting any evidence, while Islamabad rejected the allegations. In response, India closed the Wagah border, revoked visas, and suspended the Indus Waters Treaty — moves Pakistan called an 'act of war.' Following diplomatic intervention led by Washington, both sides agreed to halt military activity across land, air, and sea. However, hours after the truce, fresh skirmishes were reported on both sides of the Line of Control.
Business Recorder
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Indian border villagers want recompense for damages in Pakistan clashes
JAMMU/SRINAGAR: Pakistan and India are maintaining a ceasefire that ended four days of intense military clashes, but many in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) are demanding compensation for damages from cross-border firing. Hundreds of villagers evacuated their homes as the rivals targeted each other's military installations with missiles and drones, killing about 70 civilians, after New Delhi struck what it called terrorist camps across the border. Many returned to find their homes destroyed or roofless. 'Where will we go with our kids? We don't have anywhere to live and anything to eat,' said Roshan Lal, from the village of Kot Maira in Akhnoor in India's district of IIOJK, about 7 km (4 miles) from the de facto border. The shelling had left his home uninhabitable, the 47-year-old added. 'I want to ask Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government for justice,' he said. 'We need compensation for the damages.' Blasts heard in IIOJK's Srinagar, say official, Reuters witness, residents In the nearby village of Pahari Wala, farmer Karan Singh said he buried seven cattle in his field, while his family are living in makeshift shelters. 'I left the village when the conflict began,' he said. 'We don't have a place to stay.' In Salamabad, a border village in the IIOJK Valley, shelling injured Badrudin Naik and his six-year-old son, but both returned home after five days. 'I am happy to return,' he said. 'But my house is damaged. My two uncles' houses were completely destroyed. We want a permanent peace as it is we on the border who suffer more.' Teams have fanned out in the region to assess damage to homes, shops and other facilities, said a senior local government official, who sought anonymity as he was not authorised to speak to media. 'Today our teams have gone to the areas which were affected,' he said, adding, 'The government will decide the amount of compensation.' Blast heard in Pakistan's Lahore amid tensions with India, say Reuters witness On Monday, Modi warned Pakistan that New Delhi would target 'terrorist hideouts' across the border again if there were new attacks on India. Pakistan denies Indian accusations of supporting militants who attack India. Standing in front of the cracked wall of his Pahari Wala home, Joginder Lal said Modi should ignore US President Donald Trump, who announced the ceasefire, saying Washington had played a role in halting the fighting. 'We want to take full revenge against Pakistan,' the 60-year-old added.
Express Tribune
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Modi's days are numbered: Khawaja Asif
Listen to article Federal Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has said that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is facing mounting criticism both inside and outside the Indian Parliament, stating that 'Modi's days are numbered' and the final verdict will rest with the Indian public. Speaking to reporters, Asif outlined Pakistan's position ahead of any potential dialogue with India, saying that the talks would focus on three core issues: terrorism, Kashmir, and water disputes. He confirmed that terrorism would be on the agenda, along with the longstanding Kashmir conflict and concerns over India's handling of the Indus Waters Treaty. Asif reiterated Pakistan's stance on counterterrorism, noting that the country has been a victim of terrorism for 25 years and continues to be unfairly blamed. 'The world must now decide for itself. Pakistan has suffered the most in the global war on terror,' he said, adding that Pakistan's efforts and sacrifices should be recognised. The minister recalled that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had already offered to investigate recent terror incidents and said Pakistan remains open to dialogue — provided its role in combating terrorism is acknowledged. On Kashmir, Asif stressed that the dispute remains unresolved and must be addressed in any talks. Regarding water issues, he criticised attempts to politicise the matter and warned that the Indus Waters Treaty should not be tampered with. He accused India of supporting terrorism for years and called it an 'international terrorist actor,' referencing evidence allegedly found in Canada and the United States. 'These proofs should be presented in any future talks,' he said. Commenting again on the Indian political climate, Asif stated that Modi has lost control and failed to manage the growing dissent. 'He tried to contain the situation in his recent speech, but things have gone beyond his grasp,' Asif said. The minister also alleged that India has been sponsoring terrorism for years, with evidence of Indian involvement surfacing in both Canada and the United States. 'These facts must be brought to the table in any negotiation,' he said. The minister concluded by noting Modi's recent speech was an attempt to contain political damage but claimed the situation has already spiralled beyond repair. India-Pakistan ceasefire follows escalation, but fragile calm persists A full and immediate ceasefire between India and Pakistan was announced on May 10 after days of heightened military exchanges that brought both nuclear-armed neighbours to the brink of war. The announcement was first made by US President Donald Trump and later confirmed by Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Tensions flared following an April 22 attack in Pahalgam, Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), which left 26 civilians dead. India blamed Pakistan-based elements without presenting any evidence, Islamabad rejected the allegations. In response, India closed the Wagah border, revoked visas, and suspended the Indus Waters Treaty—moves Pakistan called an 'act of war.' The conflict intensified with India's missile attracks and drone incursions as it lauched its Operation Sindoor. Pakistan's military launched Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos in retaliation, and announced it had downed five Indian jets—including Rafales—and intercepted 77 Israeli-made Harop drones. Following diplomatic intervention led by Washington, both sides agreed to halt military activity across land, air, and sea. However, hours after the truce, fresh skirmishes were reported along both sides of the Line of Control. Explosions were heard in Srinagar and exchanges of fire were cited by officials on both sides, raising concerns over the ceasefire's durability. Pakistan's Foreign Office reiterated its commitment to the ceasefire while accusing India of violations. DG ISPR Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry stressed that Pakistan had not requested the truce, asserting that India initiated the ceasefire request following Pakistan's retaliatory strikes. He described war between two nuclear powers as 'inconceivable' and 'an absurdity.' Chaudhry confirmed that no Indian pilot was in Pakistani custody, dismissing viral claims as misinformation. He called Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos a unified national response to Indian aggression, noting Pakistan had delivered on its commitments to respond decisively and proportionately. Cities across Pakistan observed Youm-e-Tashakkur (Day of Thanks) on Sunday to mark what was hailed domestically as a successful defence of national sovereignty.
