Former Prime Minister Advocates Peaceful Approach Following Pahalgam Attack
Former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has advised his brother and current Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to pursue a diplomatic resolution to escalating tensions with India following the Pahalgam terror attack, according to a report by the Express Tribune. Nawaz Sharif reportedly counseled against aggressive postures, emphasizing the importance of restoring peace through dialogue and diplomacy.
The Pahalgam attack, in which Pakistan-backed militants killed 26 people, has significantly heightened tensions between the two nations, raising fears of a potential military conflict.
Nawaz Sharif’s Message: Avoid Escalation, Promote Diplomacy
During a family meeting in Lahore, Shehbaz Sharif reportedly briefed Nawaz on the current situation, describing the Pahalgam attack as a “false-flag operation” by India. Nawaz, a three-time former prime minister and head of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), advised that Pakistan should leverage all available diplomatic channels to de-escalate the crisis rather than adopting an aggressive stance.
This call for restraint is consistent with Nawaz Sharif’s historical approach toward India. In a 2018 interview with Dawn, Nawaz questioned Pakistan’s tolerance of non-state actors responsible for attacks such as the 2008 Mumbai attacks, remarks that at the time led to sedition allegations against him.
Rising Hostilities Amid Bilateral Breakdown
Despite Nawaz Sharif’s appeal for peace, tensions have continued to rise. Following India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, Pakistan retaliated by declaring the treaty’s suspension an “act of war” and announced the nullification of all bilateral agreements with India, including the historic Simla Agreement of 1972.
Statements from leading Pakistani politicians have further inflamed the situation. Federal minister Hanif Abbasi claimed that 130 Pakistani nuclear missiles are aimed at India, while Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, former foreign minister and coalition partner, issued stark warnings about bloodshed if water disputes escalate.
Pakistan has proposed a “neutral” third-party investigation into the Pahalgam attack, but Indian officials have yet to respond formally to the offer.
As diplomatic tensions intensify, Nawaz Sharif’s counsel for a measured, diplomatic approach stands in contrast to the more aggressive rhetoric dominating Pakistan’s political discourse.