Pakistan on Friday described the April 22 terrorist attack at Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir as “a human tragedy”, while accusing India of politicising the incident and violating international law by unilaterally putting the Indus Water Treaty (IWT) in abeyance.
Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif claimed that Pakistan had prevailed during the May 7–10 cross-border military flare-up, asserting that seven Indian fighter jets were “turned into scrap and dust.” He added that Pakistan responded to India’s aggression with a “bloody nose,” while lauding US President Donald Trump for averting a wider conflict in South Asia.
Sharif also reiterated Pakistan’s readiness for comprehensive dialogue with India on outstanding issues, while condemning India’s unilateral suspension of the 1960 Indus Water Treaty, saying:
“South Asia requires proactive rather than provocative leadership. India’s unilateral and illegal attempt to hold the Indus Water Treaty in abeyance defies the provisions of the treaty itself as well as the norms of international law. Any violation of this treaty represents an act of war.”
Background of the conflict
India put the IWT in abeyance following the Pahalgam attack, in which terrorists linked to groups across the border killed 26 people, mostly tourists. Subsequently, India launched Operation Sindoor, carrying out precision strikes on terrorist camps in Pakistan, to which Pakistan responded by targeting civilians in border villages and military installations. The cross-border flare-up ended on May 10.
Sharif accused India of seeking political advantage from a human tragedy, while asserting that Pakistan remained committed to defending its rights over water resources for its 240 million citizens.
The composite dialogue between India and Pakistan has been stalled for 12 years, with past Indian governments limiting talks to ending cross-border terrorism and resolving issues related to Pakistan’s occupation of parts of Jammu and Kashmir.