In time of tension and trouble, generated from the other side of the border by India’s recent actions in held Kashmir, Prime Minister Imran Khan’s statement that Pakistan will never start a military conflict is promising and a pro-peace gesture. As Pakistan and India are nuclear-armed states, any deliberate or inadvertent step can be disastrous for both countries and for world peace. Pakistan has shown its strong resolve to diffuse tensions again and again in the recent past. It never escalated tensions when India claimed to strike locations deep inside Pakistan in the wake of the Pulwama attack. When Indian birds tried to breach its airspace, Pakistan downed two fighter jet but hastened to return the captured pilot, exhibiting its true intentions to bring things back to normalcy. The noble gesture by Pakistan, however, was taken by India as a sign of weakness. The prime minister, soon after assuming the office in 2018, said if India takes one step towards peace, we will reach out with two. The Indian leadership, however, flying high on the wave of nationalism, has been frustrating these offers in one way or another. First by creating jingoistic vibes and later making the most of anti-Pakistan sentiments, the Indian ruling party clean swept the recently concluded elections. Pakistan’s offers to resolve issues bilaterally were answered with conditions as if, as Prime Minister Khan said, India was a super power and talking to a poor country. The government has struck well on diplomatic fronts in recent days. The world is speaking openly about the now month-long curfew in occupied Kashmir, confining millions to their homes. But back home, statements by some senior cabinet ministers and politicians about all-out war on the Kashmir issue are irresponsible, and the prime minister must take note. At a time when the prime minister is speaking against war because of the nuclear element, a statement by minister Sheikh Rasheed that Pakistan has several nukes ready to be struck is escalatory and dangerous. Another minister, Fawad Chaudhry, supported war while speaking in the House. Mustafa Kamal flew from Karachi to Azad Kashmir only to announce waging a war. Similarly, former legendary cricketer Javed Miandad brandished a sword to wage jihad. Side by side, the media is playing the role of a bully brat, inciting the nation to war. In such a scenario, the role of the government as well as the armed forces is measured, calculated and pro-peace, which is a good omen. In the days to come, India will have to pay the price for its heavy-handed actions in occupied Kashmir and for creating jingoism among its public. *