Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has threatened on a TV interview that the current developments following the Pahalgam terror attack, during which 26 were killed, could result in an "all-out war" between India and Pakistan.
Talking to Sky News, Asif stated that he was worried the world should worry about the prospect of a full-scale war between the two nuclear powers. He further stated that although Pakistan's military is "prepared for every eventuality" in the event of rising diplomatic tensions, the response from Pakistan would be proportional, depending upon what India initiates. "We will assess our response based on whatever initiative is taken by India. If there is a full-scale attack or something of that sort, then clearly there will be a full-scale war," Asif stated.
He also warned that if the issue intensifies, there would be a "tragic outcome." Although extremely stern in his language, Asif believed that the fight could be settled through negotiations eventually. In answer to whether the world had to be concerned, he stated, "Yes, I think so. The confrontation between two nuclear powers is always worrying."
In addition, Asif accused India of "staging" Pahalgam attack that took 26 lives, without showing any evidence. He stated the response from New Delhi was not surprising and reflected that the attack had been meant to provoke a crisis, particularly for Pakistan. We might have gathered that all this was done merely to create some sort of a crisis in the region, particularly for us," he said. Clarifying his remarks, Asif reiterated that Pakistan condemns terrorism in any form but added that India was responsible for orchestrating such crises. "Yeah, yeah, yeah. Certainly. Certainly, they orchestrate these things," he added further.
Asif was also questioned on Pakistan's past history of supporting terrorist networks. He acknowledged Pakistan's support for US-led interventions during the Cold War and post-9/11 periods but called it a "mistake" with consequences. "We have been fighting this dirty for America for about 3 decades. and for the West, including Britain. That was a mistake, and we paid for that, and that is the reason you are telling me all this," Asif explained. He further stated that if Pakistan had avoided fighting in these wars, its record would have been "unimpeachable."
In response to the Pahalgam attack, the Indian government adopted several diplomatic measures. These comprised closing down the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Attari, putting on hold the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) for Pakistani nationals, giving them 40 hours to leave India, and reducing the strength of diplomatic officers in high commissions on both sides. India also put on hold the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 in response to the attack.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing the country, vowed that the attackers and the masterminds of the attack would be punished "beyond their imagination." He emphasized that the time had come to eliminate the last terrorist hideouts, saying that the collective willpower of 1.4 billion Indians would shatter the backbone of terrorism.
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