ISLAMABAD – In a strong and defiant message amid rising tensions along the Line of Control (LoC), Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has warned India to choose between war and peace, as Pakistan remains fully prepared for both outcomes, reported by Dawn News.
“We are ready for war and peace. The choice is yours,” the prime minister declared during a national address following fresh skirmishes along the LoC. The statement came after days of heightened military activity and rising fears of a wider conflict between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.
PM Shehbaz strongly criticized India for holding the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance and warned against any attempt to block water flow into Pakistan. “If you stop our water, that crosses a red line. Water is our right, and our brave and valiant forces will protect it at all costs,” he said firmly.
The prime minister also reiterated Pakistan’s long-standing demand for resolving the Kashmir issue through United Nations resolutions, stressing that any future dialogue, including trade, must follow a comprehensive and inclusive path. “Trade cannot happen in isolation. First, the Kashmir matter must be addressed,” he said.
Referring to the recent Pahalgam attack, PM Shehbaz said Pakistan had offered full cooperation and called for a transparent investigation, but India responded with aggression. “They attacked in the darkness of night, but our forces gave a strong and immediate reply,” he claimed.
He further accused India of targeting Pakistan’s water infrastructure, particularly at Neelum-Jhelum, and warned that Pakistan’s armed forces have the capability to strike back at India’s Baglihar and other water projects if needed.
“The time for one-sided restraint is over,” PM Shehbaz concluded. “Peace is our choice, but we will never surrender our rights.”
