Pakistan rejects Indian media’s ‘ceasefire request’ claim as baseless

ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office on Saturday dismissed Indian media reports falsely claiming that Pakistan had requested a ceasefire with India, calling them “completely untrue.”

A spokesperson clarified that Pakistan initiated the ceasefire on its own terms and did not approach any party with a request. The statement came in response to misleading narratives in Indian outlets.

The FO revealed that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio had contacted Pakistan, stating that India was willing to agree to a ceasefire if Pakistan consented. After Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar approved, Saudi Arabia’s counterpart also called, seeking confirmation of the truce.

India failed, Pakistan’s narrative prevailed at diplomatic level: Bilawal

“Pakistan did not plead for a ceasefire, this claim is categorically rejected,” the spokesperson emphasised, reaffirming that the decision was a sovereign one, not a concession.

Earlier, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari declared that Pakistan triumphed diplomatically against India’s efforts to isolate it globally, with its narrative prevailing in international media. Returning to Karachi after a multi-country tour, he stated that Pakistan’s delegation, acting on the PM and president’s directives, highlighted peace, Kashmir, and the Indus dispute abroad.

Bilawal asserted that Pakistan’s military humiliated India despite its size, downing six jets during tensions, and later won the “diplomatic war” by exposing India’s “lies.” He emphasised Kashmir’s international status, citing U.S. mediation offers as a victory.