One Year On: Pakistan Questions India’s Pahalgam Narrative
News Desk
Islamabad: On the first anniversary of the Pahalgam attack, Pakistan on Wednesday mounted a forceful critique of India, accusing New Delhi of failing to provide any “credible evidence” to support its allegations against Islamabad.
In a televised address, Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said India had not only failed to substantiate its claims but had also consistently avoided calls for an independent and impartial investigation into what Pakistan terms a “false flag operation.”
The minister recalled that tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours escalated sharply in May last year after India blamed Pakistan for the Pahalgam attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, which killed 26 tourists.
Islamabad categorically rejected the allegations and urged a neutral probe, an offer that, Tarar said, India chose to ignore.
He further accused India of escalating the situation through “unlawful missile strikes” inside Pakistan, resulting in civilian and military casualties. Pakistan, he said, responded decisively, claiming it downed seven Indian fighter jets, including three Rafale aircraft, along with dozens of drones, and destroyed an S-400 air defence system.
The brief but intense conflict ended on May 10 with a ceasefire brokered by the United States.
Read More: https://thepenpk.com/pakistan-wrongly-blamed-for-pahalgam-attack-says-chidambaram/
Tarar said the Pahalgam episode reflects what he described as India’s pattern of “hollowness, illogical thinking, false pride, arrogance and greed,” adding that even after a year, New Delhi has failed to answer key questions or present verifiable proof.
He argued that India continues to externalise its internal security challenges while attempting to portray internationally recognised disputes, such as Kashmir, as domestic matters.
“Terrorism is India’s internal issue, yet it is projected outwardly, while the Kashmir dispute is an international matter being misrepresented as internal,” he said.
Questioning the official narrative, Tarar pointed to the rapid registration of an FIR within ten minutes of the incident, calling it “highly unusual” and suggestive of prior preparation. He added that international media, Indian civil society, and policy circles have also raised serious concerns about the circumstances surrounding the attack.
The minister maintained that narratives built on alleged false flag operations cannot withstand global scrutiny, stressing that India has failed to present a convincing case.
He also criticised sections of the Indian media for, in his words, amplifying “war hysteria” and spreading unverified reports, damaging their credibility internationally.
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Expanding his critique, Tarar alleged that minorities in India, particularly Muslims, face systematic discrimination under Hindutva ideology, while accusing New Delhi of using terrorism as an instrument of state policy. He cited incidents involving Sikh activists abroad and the case of Kulbhushan Jadhav as examples.
He further claimed Pakistan possesses “concrete evidence” of India’s involvement in destabilising activities, including alleged links with groups such as the BLA and TTP, adding that this evidence has been shared with international stakeholders. He referenced incidents like the Jaffar Express attack and the Khuzdar episode as part of this pattern.
Reaffirming Pakistan’s stance, Tarar said the country remains fully committed to combating terrorism and will not compromise on its sovereignty, dignity, or security. He warned that any future “misadventure” by India would trigger an immediate and decisive response.
Referring to Pakistan’s military campaign “Marka-e-Haq,” the minister claimed the country had achieved a decisive outcome in last year’s conflict and continues to gain global recognition, while India faces growing diplomatic isolation.
He added that under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff Asim Munir, Pakistan’s civil and military leadership remain aligned in pursuing peace while ensuring strong national defence.
Concluding his remarks, Tarar said Pakistan has emerged stronger and more united, expressing hope for lasting peace, stability, and prosperity.
