Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif on Defensive After Pahalgam Terror Attack, Fails to Condemn Massacre of Indian Tourists
Four days after the horrific terrorist attack in Pahalgam that claimed the lives of 26 innocent Indian tourists, Pakistan&rsquo;s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has finally broken his silence &mdash; but not to condemn the atrocity. Instead, adopting a defensive tone, Sharif chose to recycle Pakistan&rsquo;s well-worn narratives, accusing India of "baseless allegations" while offering participation in a so-called "neutral, transparent, and credible investigation."
Speaking at a passing-out parade at the Pakistan Military Academy in Kakul, Sharif echoed the inflammatory "jugular vein" rhetoric of Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir, reaffirming Pakistan's historic obsession with Kashmir. Rather than denouncing the heinous act of terrorism on Indian soil, the Pakistani leader portrayed his country as a victim of what he termed India&rsquo;s "perpetual blame game."
"Our eastern neighbour continues a pattern of exploitation, levelling baseless allegations and false accusations without credible investigation or verifiable evidence," Sharif alleged, ignoring the bloodshed at Pahalgam. His statement marked a stunning abdication of moral responsibility at a time when unequivocal condemnation of terrorism was expected.
Sharif further issued thinly veiled threats over the Indus Waters Treaty, warning that any Indian attempt to "stop, reduce or divert water" would be met with "force and might," a statement reminiscent of recent provocations by Pakistan People's Party (PPP) leader Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.
Doubling down on Pakistan&rsquo;s traditional stance, Sharif reaffirmed his country&rsquo;s support for the so-called "right to self-determination" of Kashmiris, while invoking Muhammad Ali Jinnah&rsquo;s inflammatory claim that "Kashmir is the jugular vein of Pakistan." He lamented that the issue remains unresolved despite numerous UN resolutions, omitting any mention of Pakistan&rsquo;s own historical role in fomenting unrest.
While Sharif claimed that Pakistan "condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations," his remarks were starkly undermined by his failure to explicitly denounce the Pahalgam attack. Instead, he highlighted Pakistan&rsquo;s own losses due to terrorism, seeking global sympathy without acknowledging Pakistan's notorious record of providing safe havens to terrorist groups.
In the face of such selective outrage and glaring omissions, Sharif&rsquo;s speech is likely to deepen scepticism within India and among the international community regarding Pakistan&rsquo;s credibility in the fight against terrorism.
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Pakistan pitches for neutral probe but stays silent on terror that killed 26 Indian tourists.

Sharif Evades Condemnation After Pahalgam Attack

Pakistan pitches for neutral probe but stays silent on terror that killed 26 Indian tourists.

April 26, 2025 | 13:44 IST