ISLAMABAD: On the first anniversary of the Pahalgam attack, Pakistan has once again rejected Indian allegations linking Islamabad to the incident, urging New Delhi to present credible evidence and agree to an independent investigation.
In a televised statement on Wednesday, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar said India has failed to substantiate its claims despite the passage of a year and has also avoided calls for a neutral inquiry into the matter. He said Pakistan’s position remains consistent, stressing that it supports an impartial investigation while rejecting what he described as “baseless accusations” from India.
Referring to the 2025 incident in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), which resulted in the deaths of 26 people, Tarar said India blamed Pakistan without presenting evidence. He reiterated that Pakistan had denied the allegations and instead called for a transparent international probe. The minister said tensions escalated after India conducted missile strikes inside Pakistan, which Islamabad says caused civilian and military casualties. He added that Pakistan responded militarily, claiming it downed Indian aircraft and drones and destroyed defence equipment, while both countries later agreed to a ceasefire brokered by the United States in May 2025.
Tarar further said India’s refusal to accept an independent investigation raises questions about its narrative. He also pointed to what he called unusual procedural developments, including the rapid filing of a police report shortly after the incident. He claimed that international observers, including media and analysts, have raised concerns over inconsistencies in India’s account, and criticised Indian media for promoting what he described as escalatory and unverified reporting.
The minister also referred to broader regional tensions, said that minorities in India face discrimination under prevailing political ideologies, while reiterating that it has evidence of Indian involvement in destabilising activities inside the country. He said such evidence has been shared with international forums.
Reaffirming Pakistan’s position, Tarar said the country remains committed to counterterrorism efforts and national security, adding that Pakistan will respond firmly to any future aggression. He also said the country’s civilian and military leadership are aligned on matters of defence and peace.
