The Crossbill News Desk
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday (April 26) said that Islamabad is open to participating in a "neutral, transparent and credible investigation" into the Pahalgam terror attack, marking the first formal response from Pakistan’s political leadership since the deadly incident.
The offer comes even as India has yet to publicly present the findings of its investigation that allegedly link Pakistan to the attack, which killed 26 people — 25 Indians and one Nepalese citizen.
Sharif made the remarks during a speech at the Passing Out Parade at the Pakistan Military Academy in Kakul, near Abbottabad, addressing senior military officers.
Speaking from a prepared text, Sharif said, “The recent tragedy in Pahalgam is yet another example of this perpetual blame game which must come to a grinding halt. And now continuing with its role as a responsible country, Pakistan is open to participate in any neutral, transparent and credible investigation.”
His speech, delivered at a highly symbolic military setting, signals that the statement had the approval of Pakistan’s wider establishment.
This is not the first time Pakistan has offered to cooperate in terror-related probes. After the 2016 Pathankot terror attack, Pakistan had sent a team of investigators to the Indian Air Force base to join the investigation.
Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts continue on multiple fronts. Pakistan has briefed foreign ambassadors based in Islamabad, expressing concerns over a possible escalation following India’s sharp response to the Pahalgam attack.
In New Delhi, officials have been briefing foreign governments, sharing intelligence that reportedly establishes a direct link between the attackers and Pakistan.
According to sources, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has personally spoken to 13 world leaders over the past two days, while more than 30 ambassadors have been briefed by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and other senior officials at the Ministry of External Affairs.
Officials conveyed that "technical intelligence," credible eyewitness accounts, and human intelligence had confirmed the identity of the terrorists and traced their origins to Pakistan.
It has been further disclosed that the "electronic signature" of the terror group, The Resistance Front, was tracked to at least two locations across the border. Evidence also pointed to the fact that some of the attackers had been involved in previous terror activities.
India’s diplomatic response, including downgrading relations and suspending agreements with Pakistan, is part of what officials describe as "coercive diplomacy" aimed at isolating Pakistan internationally and ratcheting up pressure.
Foreign Secretary Misri emphasized Pakistan’s "cross-border linkages" to the Pahalgam attack during his meetings with diplomats, underscoring the basis for Delhi’s strong retaliatory measures.
The offer comes even as India has yet to publicly present the findings of its investigation that allegedly link Pakistan to the attack, which killed 26 people — 25 Indians and one Nepalese citizen.
Sharif made the remarks during a speech at the Passing Out Parade at the Pakistan Military Academy in Kakul, near Abbottabad, addressing senior military officers.
Speaking from a prepared text, Sharif said, “The recent tragedy in Pahalgam is yet another example of this perpetual blame game which must come to a grinding halt. And now continuing with its role as a responsible country, Pakistan is open to participate in any neutral, transparent and credible investigation.”
His speech, delivered at a highly symbolic military setting, signals that the statement had the approval of Pakistan’s wider establishment.
This is not the first time Pakistan has offered to cooperate in terror-related probes. After the 2016 Pathankot terror attack, Pakistan had sent a team of investigators to the Indian Air Force base to join the investigation.
Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts continue on multiple fronts. Pakistan has briefed foreign ambassadors based in Islamabad, expressing concerns over a possible escalation following India’s sharp response to the Pahalgam attack.
In New Delhi, officials have been briefing foreign governments, sharing intelligence that reportedly establishes a direct link between the attackers and Pakistan.
According to sources, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has personally spoken to 13 world leaders over the past two days, while more than 30 ambassadors have been briefed by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and other senior officials at the Ministry of External Affairs.
Officials conveyed that "technical intelligence," credible eyewitness accounts, and human intelligence had confirmed the identity of the terrorists and traced their origins to Pakistan.
It has been further disclosed that the "electronic signature" of the terror group, The Resistance Front, was tracked to at least two locations across the border. Evidence also pointed to the fact that some of the attackers had been involved in previous terror activities.
India’s diplomatic response, including downgrading relations and suspending agreements with Pakistan, is part of what officials describe as "coercive diplomacy" aimed at isolating Pakistan internationally and ratcheting up pressure.
Foreign Secretary Misri emphasized Pakistan’s "cross-border linkages" to the Pahalgam attack during his meetings with diplomats, underscoring the basis for Delhi’s strong retaliatory measures.
Comments (0)
Leave a Comment