Islamabad, May 10, 2025: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar expressed hope on Saturday that diplomatic dialogue with India could resume following an intensifying international effort to de-escalate hostilities between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.
Dar’s remarks came as Pakistan continued its military retaliation under Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos, launched in response to what it described as unprovoked Indian missile strikes on multiple Pakistani airbases, including one near the capital, Islamabad.
Speaking to a private news channel, Dar said, “India should stop if there’s an iota of sanity. If they stop, so will we. We do not want destruction and waste of funds. You know, both economies are different, but we generally want peace, without the hegemony of any country.”
He further added, “My recent interactions have been very positive, and I believe that the way for talks will be open now.”
The comments follow a phone call between U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Pakistan’s Army Chief General Asim Munir on Friday morning. According to the U.S. State Department, Secretary Rubio urged both sides to de-escalate and offered American support in initiating constructive dialogue.
State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce confirmed, “He continued to urge both parties to find ways to de-escalate and offered U.S. assistance in starting constructive talks in order to avoid future conflicts.”
Meanwhile, the Group of Seven (G7) countries issued a joint statement on Friday calling for maximum restraint and urging both India and Pakistan to engage in direct dialogue. China also expressed “deep concern” over the unfolding situation and offered to play a constructive role in resolving tensions, according to a statement from its foreign ministry on Saturday.
Earlier in the day, Dar had asserted that “victory will be ours,” emphasizing that Pakistan’s military actions were defensive and proportionate, undertaken in response to India’s escalating aggression.
“This is not an offensive war,” he said. “Pakistan is responding to continuous Indian hostility. While we speak of peace, India acts otherwise.”
Dar claimed that 80 Indian drones had been shot down, while 35 Pakistani citizens were martyred in recent Indian strikes. He confirmed that key Pakistani airbases — including PAF Noor Khan, Shorkot, and Sukkur — were targeted in the Indian attacks.
He also dismissed India’s claims about hitting multiple Pakistani targets and projecting nuclear superiority. “Their lies in the past 48 hours have been non-stop. Their narrative won’t hold.”
Dar reiterated that Pakistan had targeted only military infrastructure involved in launching payloads across the border. “Our operation is precise. The world is watching and understands that we are acting in self-defence.”
He accused New Delhi of fabricating narratives, particularly in the wake of the Pahalgam incident, and noted India’s failure to present any verifiable evidence. “They shut the border, expelled our diplomats, and made wild accusations — all of which remain unproven.”
The foreign minister said that Pakistan had been prepared for such escalation, given India’s pattern of covert drone and missile operations, adding, “We cannot sit idle while they violate our sovereignty.”
Dar concluded with a stern message: “The responsibility is now on the world to make India realise its grave mistake. Our actions are proportionate and within our rights. Victory will be Pakistan’s.”
