PM Shehbaz leaves the choice for war or dialogue to Modi

ISLAMABAD: Following his visit to Pasrur Garrison in Sialkot on Wednesday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited on Wednesday, where he commended the armed forces for their swift and decisive response to India’s aggression on May 6-7, which inflicted heavy losses on the neighbouring country. Addressing the soldiers, the PM said: “You have taken revenge for the 1971 war… and now the whole nation is standing with you.” He issued a stern warning to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stating, “If you again attack us, you will lose everything… We are ready for war and dialogue. Now the choice is yours.”

The Pakistan Air Force downed multiple Indian Rafale aircraft during the skirmish, while Pakistani strikes on 26 military targets “avenged” the 1971 war, the PM said.

PM Shehbaz, army chief visit front lines of Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos

Accompanied by Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir, Deputy PM Ishaq Dar, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif, Air Chief, federal ministers Ahsan Iqbal and Atta Tarar, and Corps Commander Sialkot, PM Shehbaz was given a detailed briefing on the nature of the conflict and military preparedness. He later interacted with troops, expressing satisfaction over their high morale and operational readiness.

Referring to Modi’s recent remarks, PM Shehbaz asserted, “Do not dictate us. Water is our red line; don’t even think about diverting our water. Yes, water and blood do not flow together.” He accused India of deliberately targeting Pakistan’s Neelum-Jhelum hydropower project and warned that had the damage been severe, Pakistan could have retaliated by striking major Indian dams, including Baglihar.

Despite the tensions, the PM reiterated his call for dialogue, urging Modi to “extinguish this fire” and engage in discussions over Kashmir and water disputes. His remarks came after India unilaterally suspended the Indus Waters Treaty following the Pahalgam attack—a move the World Bank clarified had no legal basis.

“There is no provision in the treaty to allow for suspension the way it was drawn up,” World Bank President Ajay Banga said in a recent interview, emphasizing that the agreement could only be altered or replaced with mutual consent.

PM Shehbaz condemned India’s “shameful and immoral” aggression, which martyred innocent civilians, including children, women, and the elderly. He dismissed India’s claims of targeting terrorists as “false pretexts” and highlighted how Pakistan’s offer for a neutral probe was deliberately ignored. “India launched its offensive based on arrogance and lies—and received a befitting response,” he said.

Praising the armed forces as “the nation’s pride,” the PM paid tribute to the martyrs, calling them “a glorious chapter of our history” and vowing that Pakistan would never forget their sacrifice. “The nation’s unwavering resolve has further strengthened our soldiers’ morale,” he added.