Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has stated that the recent conflict between India and Pakistan had the potential to escalate into a "very dangerous turn." He made these remarks on Thursday, May 22, 2025, while addressing the Pahalgam terror attack and the subsequent military actions from both sides.
Sharif described the Pahalgam terror attack, which resulted in the deaths of 26 people, as "unfortunate". Following the attack, India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting and destroying nine alleged terrorist infrastructures in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Pakistan retaliated with attempts to strike Indian military bases on May 8, 9, and 10, prompting a strong counter-attack from Indian forces on several Pakistani military installations.
The conflict de-escalated after both sides reached an understanding to cease hostilities on May 10. Speaking in Muzaffarabad, in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, Sharif distributed compensation cheques to the families of civilians killed or injured during the conflict. He lamented that the situation could have spiraled out of control and emphasized that Pakistan had proposed a neutral investigation into the Pahalgam attack, which India rejected.
Adding to the narrative, Sharif claimed that Pakistan had "avenged the defeat of the 1971 war," a war that led to the creation of Bangladesh. He also asserted that the Pakistani military exclusively targeted military objectives during the recent clashes. Sharif's government has promised substantial compensation to the families of Pakistani army personnel killed in the conflict, ranging from Rs 10 million to Rs 18 million depending on their rank.
Despite the recent hostilities, Sharif has expressed openness to dialogue with India. He suggested that future peace talks could be hosted in Saudi Arabia or the United Arab Emirates, potentially with the United States acting as a mediator. He has specified that discussions should focus on key issues such as Kashmir, water resources, trade, and terrorism. However, India has indicated a preference to limit discussions to terrorism-related concerns.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken a firm stance, stating that there would be "no trade or talks with Pakistan" and that Pakistan would face a "high cost" for every terrorist attack, impacting its army and economy. Modi has also asserted that Pakistan will not be given water that India considers rightfully theirs, hinting at potential challenges to the Indus Waters Treaty.
Amidst these developments, there have been reports and claims regarding the involvement of other nations and technologies in the conflict. Sharif alleged that Pakistan utilized Chinese technology extensively and that Israel provided support to India during the conflict. He also mentioned his decision to promote Army chief Gen Asim Munir to the rank of field marshal for his role in the recent conflict.
The situation remains tense, with both sides holding firm positions. While Pakistan expresses a willingness to engage in dialogue on a range of issues, India insists on focusing primarily on terrorism and has adopted a hard-line stance on trade and talks until Pakistan takes concrete steps to address terrorism concerns.
