Pakistan Defence Minister Signals for De-escalation
In the wake of India's "Operation Sindoor" which targeted terrorist sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on Wednesday, May 7th, Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has stated that Islamabad is prepared to "end the conflict" if India chooses to de-escalate. His remarks, made during an interview with Bloomberg TV, place the responsibility for further developments on New Delhi.
Conditional De-escalation Offered
Speaking hours after India confirmed its precision strikes – a response to the April 22nd Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians – Minister Asif addressed the current situation. "It all depends on India; it has been initiated by India. If they are ready to back down... they have taken the initiative, we have just responded," he said. Asif reiterated Pakistan's stance, stating, "If India backs down, we will definitely wrap up these things. But as long as we are under attack, we have to respond." He confirmed that Indian strikes occurred in seven different locations, including areas within Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
Contrasting Claims and Stances
During the interview, Khawaja Asif also claimed that Pakistan had shot down Indian fighter jets, a assertion that has been refuted by New Delhi. India's Ministry of Defence, in its statement following "Operation Sindoor," maintained that its actions were "focused, measured and non-escalatory in nature," specifically targeting terrorist infrastructure with no engagement of Pakistani military facilities. India emphasised its restraint in both target selection and execution.
Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif's comments suggest a conditional willingness from Islamabad to de-escalate the current heightened tensions, provided India takes the first step to "back down." However, these statements are accompanied by unverified claims and a firm assertion of Pakistan's intent to continue responding if it perceives itself to be under attack.
