Islamabad
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has said in on Thursday that India is attempting to fabricate an anti-Pakistan narrative by targeting its own citizens, particularly the Sikh community, as part of its Hindutva-driven strategy.
Addressing a joint press conference alongside military spokesperson Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, Dar accused the Modi-led government of endangering the lives of its own people to provoke hostility against Pakistan.
“India’s Hindutva mindset wants to ignite tensions among Sikhs and create anti-Pakistan sentiment,” Dar said. “By attacking its population, India is trying to open a front against Pakistan.”
The press conference came after heightened tensions between the two countries, marked by alleged drone attacks and military skirmishes.
Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said that drones entering from India were shot down and that India endangered the lives of Sikhs in Indian Punjab. He added that multiple Indian drones violated Pakistani airspace at various locations, including a drone strike in Rawalpindi.
Dar further revealed that an attempt was made to target the venue of the Pakistan Super League (PSL). “Pakistan reserves the right to respond to India’s aggression, and we will do so at a time, place, and method of our choosing,” he said. He also accused India of falsely claiming missile attacks from Pakistan and said that India launched strikes on over two dozen locations from Islamabad to Karachi.
The deputy prime minister stated that Pakistan’s armed forces confronted 80 Indian aircraft and accused India of targeting civilian populations. He assured that Pakistan’s military and all institutions were fully alert in the face of these provocations. He also condemned India’s unilateral suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, calling it another hostile move, and stressed that Pakistan gave a strong, fitting response to all of India’s actions.
Foreign Minister Dar concluded by saying, “We had asked for evidence in the Pahalgam incident. Let India show the world proof of the alleged terrorism in Pahalgam. InshaAllah, victory will be Pakistan’s.”
DG ISPR remarks on Nankana Sahib attack
Director General ISPR Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry made it clear that the drone attack on the Sikh community was unacceptable, adding that the drone approaching Nankana Sahib was shot down.
“A drone heading toward Nankana Sahib was also shot down,” he said, while pointing out India’s global embarrassment and internal confusion, “India is thinking how to escape the shame of its own narrative falling apart.”
He remarked that India is now wondering how to escape the embarrassment, while the Pakistani nation is not one to be intimidated. “India is conducting drills, while Pakistanis are playing sports,” he added.
