Foreign Office reaffirms firm response to Indian aggression
Pakistan has firmly rejected Indian media reports alleging that Islamabad sought a ceasefire following the recent hostilities between the two countries.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the reports as “completely unfounded,” emphasising that Pakistan’s military actions were a rightful and measured response to Indian provocations.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, in various media appearances, made it clear that Pakistan’s retaliation was purely in self-defence.
The Foreign Office stressed that at no stage did Pakistan request or propose a ceasefire. Instead, the ceasefire was facilitated through diplomatic efforts by third parties — notably the United States and Saudi Arabia.
According to the statement, on the morning of May 10, 2025, at around 8:15 am, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio contacted Senator Dar, conveying India’s readiness to cease hostilities if Pakistan agreed. Dar confirmed Pakistan’s consent. Later, around 9:00 am, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal also called Dar with a similar message, which was similarly acknowledged.
The Foreign Office condemned the Indian media reports as a “misrepresentation of facts,” reiterating that Pakistan only agreed to the ceasefire after India’s intent was relayed through these diplomatic channels.
Islamabad reaffirmed that its stance was grounded in sovereignty and the right to self-defence, and that external mediation played a key role in bringing about the cessation of hostilities.
Meanwhile, India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi continue to dispute Washington and Islamabad’s accounts, insisting that the May ceasefire emerged from direct military communication between the two nations, without any third-party involvement.
The White House has yet to respond to India’s latest assertions.
