Islamabad, May 13, 2025: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has said that Pakistan’s resolute military and diplomatic response to Indian aggression was pivotal in prompting global powers, particularly the United States, to intervene and help broker a ceasefire between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.
In an interview with CNN, Dar revealed that U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio had informed him via telephone that India was prepared for a ceasefire following Pakistan’s strong retaliation. “The world saw Pakistan’s firm and calculated response, which pushed global stakeholders to act swiftly to de-escalate the situation,” he said.
Dar asserted that Pakistan agreed to the ceasefire only after receiving assurances that India would halt its aggressive posturing and refrain from repeating past mistakes. He warned that unresolved water disputes between the two countries could threaten the truce, saying, “If the issue is not addressed in the upcoming talks, it could be considered an act of war.”
Meanwhile, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, in an interview with Sky News, echoed Dar’s remarks and credited behind-the-scenes diplomacy for the breakthrough. He thanked U.S. President Donald Trump for his role and acknowledged the efforts of China, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Turkiye, and Qatar in facilitating dialogue between Islamabad and New Delhi.
Tarar emphasized that Pakistan’s precision strikes on Indian military targets were conducted in self-defence and effectively conveyed the message that Islamabad would not tolerate further escalation. “This ceasefire is not a sign of weakness, but a smart and strategic move,” he stated.
He also referenced Trump’s recent tweet, which he said clearly indicated the U.S. leader’s willingness to mediate on the Kashmir dispute, a core issue between the two countries.
Addressing the recent Pahalgam incident, Tarar said India had failed to provide any evidence of Pakistani involvement and that the security lapse within Indian-administered Kashmir was apparent. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to counterterrorism and commended the military’s ongoing operations along the country’s western borders.
