On Friday, the Senate unanimously approved a resolution condemning India’s attempt to associate Pakistan with the deadly attack in Indian-administered Kashmir earlier this week.
The attack, which occurred in Pahalgam, a popular tourist area in Indian-occupied Kashmir, resulted in the deaths of at least 26 people—mainly men from across India, with one from Nepal—and left 17 others injured after gunmen opened fire on visitors.
A day earlier, the National Security Committee (NSC) in Islamabad strongly criticized India for its habitual “blame game” and the “manipulative exploitation” of incidents like the Pahalgam attack to further its political agenda.
The resolution, introduced by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, reaffirmed Pakistan’s readiness to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity against any form of aggression, including military provocations and water-related threats.
The Senate emphasized that the killing of innocent civilians contradicts Pakistan’s core values. The resolution firmly rejected any unfounded claims linking Pakistan to the Pahalgam attack on April 22, 2025, in the disputed region of Jammu and Kashmir.
The Senate also condemned India’s deliberate and malicious campaign to tarnish Pakistan’s image, pointing out that India has consistently exploited the issue of terrorism for political purposes. The resolution further condemned India’s unlawful suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, which it deemed an act of war in violation of the treaty’s terms.
Following the attack, New Delhi enacted a series of aggressive measures, including suspending the 1960 water-sharing agreement brokered by the World Bank, closing borders, downgrading diplomatic relations, and accusing Pakistan—without evidence—of supporting cross-border terrorism.
The resolution warned that Pakistan remains fully capable of defending its sovereignty against any aggression, whether in the form of military action or water-related threats, citing the country’s robust response to India’s provocative actions in February 2019. The Senate declared that any hostile moves by India would be met with a decisive, swift response.
It also emphasized Pakistan’s commitment to peace while making it clear that the nation will never allow anyone to infringe upon its sovereignty or security.
Furthermore, the Senate called for India to be held accountable for its involvement in acts of terrorism and targeted killings on foreign soil, including in Pakistan.
The resolution concluded by reaffirming Pakistan’s strong moral, political, and diplomatic support for the Kashmiri people in their ongoing struggle for self-determination.
Presenting the resolution in the Senate, Dar remarked, “If anyone is contemplating aggression against Pakistan, our armed forces are fully prepared.” He warned that any hostile actions would destabilize regional peace, hinder development, and disrupt efforts to alleviate poverty.
Senator Sherry Rehman also contributed to the debate, recalling that India’s Prime Minister Modi had previously sought to weaponize water in his first term. Rehman expressed concern over India’s attempts to undermine the Indus Waters Treaty, which has withstood decades of conflict, and declared that Pakistan would not allow such actions.
She stressed that peace remains the best option for both countries but cautioned that Pakistan would not hesitate to defend itself if provoked. “We are a united Pakistan, and no one will drag us into a war without facing swift and firm retaliation,” she declared, earning applause from her fellow senators.
Rehman further pointed out that if India had caught a serving Pakistani military officer spying, the reaction would have been vastly different. Referring to the 2019 Pulwama incident, she humorously remarked, “We still have tea to serve, but remember, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto made Pakistan a nuclear power, and we won’t back down from any provocations.”
Rehman reminded India that it had militarized the region, not Pakistan, and asserted that Pakistan has no obsession with India. “We are peaceful, but if you continue down this irresponsible path, you’re putting everyone at risk,” she warned, stressing that both countries are nuclear-armed and that further escalation could have catastrophic consequences.
“We don’t seek war, but if we are provoked, we will not back down,” she concluded, reinforcing Pakistan’s resolve to defend its sovereignty.
