Pakistan has urged for an international role led by former U.S. President Donald Trump to help ease the recent military tensions between India and Pakistan.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said Trump is the most fitting figure to bring the two South Asian nuclear neighbors to the negotiating table.
According to a report by Pakistani media outlet Dawn on Thursday (June 5), the remarks were made during an event held at the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad to celebrate the 249th Independence Day of the United States.
In his speech, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif described the recent four-day clashes, including the incident in India-controlled Kashmir’s Pahalgam, as a false flag operation by India.
He claimed that President Trump is undoubtedly a supporter of peace and mutually beneficial trade, opposing escalation and favoring dialogue over war.
Sharif highlighted Pakistan’s restraint amid recent Indian aggression that killed 33 Pakistanis, after which Pakistan shot down six Indian warplanes in self-defense. He also criticized India for failing to provide proper evidence regarding the Pahalgam attack.
The Prime Minister extended heartfelt greetings to the American people and President Trump on the occasion of the U.S. Independence Day, noting that Pakistan-U.S. bilateral relations are warming again and friendship between the two nations is strengthening.
Meanwhile, during a conversation with journalists in the U.S., PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari credited Trump for the recent ceasefire between India and Pakistan.
He emphasized the importance of taking President Trump’s statements seriously, noting that Trump has claimed credit for peace on at least ten occasions, and that claim is justified.
Bilawal added that if the United States wants to help Pakistan maintain the ceasefire, facilitating dialogue will play a crucial role in reducing nuclear tensions.
Criticizing India’s role sharply, he said New Delhi’s attempt to position itself as a regional security provider has failed. “When they can’t secure their own borders, how will they secure others?” he questioned. He also described India’s stance as a rival to China as hollow and meaningless.
He further stated that the concept of establishing India as a “net security provider” in the Indo-Pacific region has lost relevance, asserting that lasting peace in the region is only possible once India-Pakistan relations normalize.
Earlier, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar told a press conference in Islamabad that Pakistan is always ready to engage in dialogue if India desires. However, he warned that Pakistan is not desperate.
Referring to political rhetoric from India, especially Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent “This is just the trailer” comment, Ishaq Dar said such provocative statements escalate political tensions.
“We are peace-loving and focused on economic revival, but we are uncompromising when it comes to our honor, sovereignty, and regional integrity,” he added.
Ishaq Dar also said any future India-Pakistan dialogue must be comprehensive, covering issues such as terrorism, water-sharing agreements, and other bilateral matters.
