KUALA LUMPUR — Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar said India itself requested a ceasefire, but its political leadership is still unable to accept it. He spoke to the Pakistani community in Malaysia’s capital.
Dar mentioned that four days after the Pulwama attack, Pakistan’s Prime Minister offered to investigate the incident, but India has not responded yet. He added that India never named Pakistan in the attack but took many actions against Pakistan.
He said Pakistan responded in kind when India expelled Pakistani diplomats and canceled visas for Pakistani citizens. Pakistan also canceled visas for Indian visitors, except Sikh pilgrims. Furthermore, when India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, Pakistan closed its airspace in response.
Dar strongly stated that Pakistan’s water resources are safe and no one will be allowed to threaten the country. He also claimed that Pakistan’s air force shot down four Indian Rafale jets, despite Indian claims about the fighter planes.
He praised Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts worldwide, saying Pakistan challenged India’s false narrative in 29 capitals between April and May. Dar added that Pakistan has suffered greatly from terrorism, losing 80,000 lives and facing economic losses of \$15 billion.
Finally, Dar said Pakistan is determined to end terrorism and is working hard to improve its economy. He stressed that getting Pakistan included in the G20 group remains a top goal, and overseas Pakistanis serve as important ambassadors for their country.