Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar issued a strong challenge to India on Thursday, demanding proof of Pakistan’s alleged involvement in a recent deadly attack in occupied Kashmir. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said that India is planning terrorist attacks in Pakistan.

Following a high-level National Security Committee (NSC) meeting, Dar stated that India repeatedly levels accusations against Pakistan without providing evidence.  He directly challenged India to share any proof of Pakistani involvement in the Pahalgam incident with Pakistan and the international community.

The press conference, attended by Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, and Attorney General Mansoor Awan, saw Dar outline the NSC’s decisions and assert that Pakistan had responded proportionately to India’s pronouncements.

Dar also revealed that Pakistan’s intelligence agencies are monitoring the presence of several “foreign nationals” in Srinagar, whom he alleges are being supported by Indian intelligence and are attempting to export improvised explosive devices (IEDs).  He emphasized Pakistan’s military readiness to counter any aggression.  “We are prepared for defence,” Dar stated, warning that any attempt at aggression would face severe consequences.

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said that Pakistan has information that instead of all-out war, India is planning terrorist attacks against Pakistan. He added that if such an event happened, Pakistan will make India ‘pay through their noses’.

Asif highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s past US visa denial on terrorism grounds, contrasting it with Pakistan’s consistent condemnation of terrorism globally. 

He underscored Pakistan’s status as a major victim of terrorism, citing ongoing attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, and alleging that leaders of banned militant groups like the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan and Balochistan Liberation Army are harbored and supported in India. Asif further claimed that evidence points to Indian involvement in terrorist activities within Pakistan, particularly in Balochistan and emanating from Afghanistan.

Pakistan has announced a number of counter measures against India and has labelled any usurpation of water as an ‘act of war’.