ISLAMABAD: In a strong and unified response, the Senate of Pakistan on Friday unanimously passed a resolution rejecting India’s accusations linking Pakistan to the recent Pahalgam attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). The resolution, presented by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, condemned the allegations as baseless, politically motivated, and an attempt to malign Pakistan internationally.
The Senate's resolution reaffirmed Pakistan’s unyielding commitment to national security, while warning India against any form of military or political provocation. Dar emphasized that Pakistan will respond decisively to any misadventure, be it conventional aggression or “water terrorism,” referencing India's recent unilateral decision to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty—a move the resolution labeled a “blatant treaty violation and an act of war.”
The resolution also reiterated Pakistan’s historic response to Indian aggression, particularly citing the February 2019 Balakot incident, as evidence of the country’s capacity and will to defend itself. “Pakistan is a nuclear and missile-capable state,” Dar stated, “and any attempt by India to threaten our sovereignty will be met with a response even more forceful than in the past.”
Dar further informed the Senate that the National Security Committee (NSC) had convened the previous day to formulate a comprehensive response. Additionally, the Foreign Office has initiated diplomatic briefings, updating representatives from 26 countries, including the permanent members of the UN Security Council (P5), on the situation. Briefings for more nations are expected to follow.
The resolution, while firmly rejecting India’s narrative, also reiterated Pakistan’s condemnation of terrorism in all forms and manifestations. It accused India of attempting to deflect from its own internal issues, including systematic human rights violations in IIOJK and state-sponsored persecution of minorities.
Leader of the Opposition, Senator Shibli Faraz, took the floor to echo the resolution's sentiments, accusing India of consistently undermining Pakistan's sovereignty. “India has been directly involved in terrorism within Pakistan,” he said, citing the arrest of Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav as irrefutable evidence.
Senator Aimal Wali Khan also denounced the Indian narrative and the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack. He emphasized the need for Pakistan to stay vigilant and united in the face of such provocations.
Senator Sherry Rehman, a senior lawmaker and former diplomat, added that Pakistan remains a steadfast opponent of terrorism, having suffered greatly from its effects. She condemned India’s actions in IIOJK and called attention to its mistreatment of religious and ethnic minorities. “The nation stands united,” she said, “and we will not tolerate any aggression.”
Meanwhile, the United Nations has urged both India and Pakistan to show “maximum restraint.” UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric stated that Secretary-General António Guterres is closely monitoring the situation, though he has not yet engaged in direct contact with either government.
The Senate’s unified response underscores the rising tensions between the two nuclear neighbors and signals Islamabad's resolve to counter what it sees as an attempt by New Delhi to divert international attention from its own internal crises.
