Lawmakers from both the government and opposition benches of Pakistan’s Senate united on Monday to deliver a strong warning to India, vowing a “crushing response” to fresh accusations following the Pahalgam incident.
During a session led by Deputy Chairman Senate Syedaal Khan, senators vehemently rejected India’s claims, calling them politically motivated fabrications. They accused Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi of exploiting the tensions for political gains ahead of elections.
Barrister Ali Zafar, speaking on behalf of the Senate, condemned the extremist Modi government for again falsely blaming Pakistan. He cautioned Modi, stating that “the world is not blind,” and criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for trying to benefit politically from stirring conflict. Zafar emphasized that India’s true objective was to undermine the Indus Waters Treaty, which he called an act of war.
“India has repeatedly violated the Indus Waters Treaty. Unilaterally suspending it would be illegal, and any attempt to block Pakistan’s water supply will be considered an open declaration of war,” Zafar warned.
Senator Faisal Vawda echoed similar sentiments, warning that Pakistan would “pulverize” India if provoked. He called for a united political front and proposed convening an all-parties conference. “If war breaks out, it won’t just be between India and Pakistan; it could engulf the entire region,” he cautioned, highlighting the economic damage India has already suffered due to measures like airspace closures.
Senator Irfan Siddiqui reflected on India’s history of brutality in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), noting that over 90,000 Kashmiris have been martyred. He criticized India for blaming Pakistan without evidence, suggesting that the allegations were premeditated.
Opposition Leader Senator Shibli Faraz stated that India’s actions amounted to acts of war and warned that Pakistan’s military is prepared to respond to any aggression. He also pointed out the timing of the accusations, which seemed designed to distract from other domestic issues.
Senator Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar condemned India’s Hindutva-based policies, which he said had exacerbated regional hatred and marginalized minorities. He affirmed that the resistance in Kashmir remains resilient despite India’s ongoing oppression.
In response to the Pahalgam incident, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif offered “neutral and transparent” assistance in investigating the matter. He also issued a stern warning to India, stating that any violation of the Indus Waters Treaty or attempts at aggression would provoke a strong response, similar to the one Pakistan gave during the 2019 Balakot crisis. “Kashmir is Pakistan’s jugular vein,” the Prime Minister emphasized, stressing that Pakistan’s peace efforts should not be mistaken for weakness.
India had previously accused Pakistan of involvement in the Pahalgam attack without providing concrete evidence, which analysts believe aligns with Modi’s pattern of stoking nationalist sentiments in the lead-up to elections.
