PAKISTAN ARMED FORCES ‘PREPPED’ TO END ‘WHAT INDIA STARTED’: DG ISPR
g ‘ DOZENS OF EVIDENCE’ AVAILABLE FOR HORRIFIC STORIES OF INDIANSPONSORED TERRORISM INSIDE PAKISTAN: DG ISPR
g SAYS INDIA HA S BEEN KILLING INNOCENT PEOPLE FOR ‘ POLITICAL OBJECTIVES ’
g DG SAYS INDIA’S ATTEMPTS TO PROMOTE VOLATILITY AT EA STERN BORDER WERE ‘AIMS AT DISTRACTING PAKISTAN’S COUNTERTERRORISM EFFORTS ALONG WESTERN BORDER’
g PAF SHARES LOCATIONS OF 5 DOWNED INDIAN FIGHTER JETS, TIMELINE OF EVENTS UNFOLDED AFTER INDIAN MISSILES ATTACK
ISLAMABAD
TH E chief military spokesperson on Friday declared that Pakistan s armed forces are prepared for any eventuality “whatever the Indian army decides to do ” saying “but what they have started I ll tell you we will finish it ISPR Director-General Lt-Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry addressed a press conference in Islamabad alongside Director General Public Relations (DGPR) of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Air Vice Marshal Aurangzeb Ahmed and Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff Operations Rear Admiral Raja Rab Nawaz
They briefed the media persons on the evolving situation at the LoC and the broader regional implications They strongly rejected Indian accusations over the Pahalgam attack warning that New Delhi’s ac-
tions risk destabilising regional peace Challenging India to present evidence if it has any of Pakistan s attacks on Indian military installations with drone and missiles, Lt-Gen Chaudhry stated that Pakistan has not used drones or rockets
Militar y shoots down 77 Indian drones in two days: DG ISPR
The Pakistan Army intercepted and destroyed 77 Israeli-made Harop drones, sent by India to target civilian and military installations, Director General Inter-Services Public relations Lt-Gen Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry confirmed on Friday Federal Minister for Information Atta Tarar also confirmed the number of destroyed drones launched by India on Friday Addressing a presser, Lt-Gen Chaudhry said that the military has neutralised
“If India claims otherwise, let it present evidence ” he challenged criticising Indian media for spreading fabricated stories Providing details of the way the Indian media blamed Pakistan shortly after the Pahalgam attack on April 22 without any evidence, Lt Gen Chaudhry maintained that India had adopted a similar stance in the past as well Is this the first time India is doing this? There is a history to it he said How did the Indian government jump to the conclusion regarding who the attackers were within 10 minutes of the incident? When you don’t have any evidence what do you do? You open up the military front He went on to say that India was shifting the blame for the attack on Pakistan to divert attention from its internal problems The military spokesperson called out India for launching attacks on Pakistan and targeting civilians, including women and children
Armed forces ready to deal with Indian aggression, Asif tells NA
ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Friday reiterated that Pakistan country s armed forces are fully prepared to deal with the situation arising out of the Indian aggression Speaking in the National Assembly on Friday, he said that the armed forces are valiantly fighting the enemy forces on the Line of Control and the working boundary He said India s designs were successfully thwarted which has demoralized their people media and political parties The morale of our people, armed forces, political parties and other segments of the society is unmoved, unwavering and high”, the defense czar declared Mentioning the shooting down
said India targeted mosques and Madrasas which resulted in the loss of civilian lives He commended the valiant and effective response of the armed forces to Indian aggression He said his party is observing Youme Difaa-e-Watan to condemn the Indian aggression
ISLAMABAD
R T
the attack which killed 26 people Pakistan has vehemently denied the accusations, and instead offered an international credible and neutral probe into the incident to ascertain the facts
The DG ISPR said that the Indian government should have some sense and act responsibly, as neighbours should Lt-Gen Chaudhry said the first thing was to “put some sense” into the people with such hubris
The first and foremost thing is to tell them that don t externalise your internal problems and don t internalise your external problems, he said
The DG ISPR has said that India has no evidence for its allegations of Pakistan s involvement in the Pahalgam attack or the supposed attacks inside Indian territory in the last 48 hours You just concoct stories I think the time has come to ask the real and bitter questions that Indian government needs to stop living in cinema and theatrics
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Friday appreciated the diplomatic efforts of Saudi Arabia to de-escalate the prevailing situation and bring peace in the South Asia while strongly condemning India s missile and drone strikes against Pakistan
He was talking to Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Adel Al-Jubeir who called on him after arrival in Islamabad on Friday
During the the Prime Minister conveyed his warm regards and respects to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, as well as to the Crown Prince and Prime Minister Prince Mohammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud
exemplary commitment and courage in the defence of the nation, against the enemy’s nefarious advances
He stressed that India’s unprovoked and unjustified acts of aggression had violated Pakistan s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and seriously endangered regional peace and stability
The Prime Minister paid tribute to the valiant Armed Forces of Pakistan who had demonstrated
While discussing the prevailing situation in South Asia, the Prime Minister strongly condemned India’s missile and drone strikes against Pakistan that had resulted in the martyrdom of scores of innocent civilians, including women and children, as well as damage to civilian infrastructures
He said Pakistan is fully determined to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity in accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter
On the occasion, the Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs expressed heartfelt condolences over the loss of precious civilian lives
PAKISTAN STOCK MARKET REBOUNDS STRONGLY AFTER RECORD FALL , IMF OPTIMISM REL A XES INVESTORS
Federal budget to be presented on June 2; PSDP slashed by 16% to Rs921b
Rs921 billion for the Public Sector Development Program (PSDP) marking a 16% cut from the revised Rs1 1 trillion allocated for the current fiscal year Although the Planning Commission had proposed a signifi-
cantly higher amount of Rs2 9 trillion based on the consolidated demands of various ministries the Ministry of Finance approved an Indicative Budget Ceiling (IBC) of only Rs921 billion Iqbal expressed concern over the reduced allocation and said he would push for an increase to at least Rs1 6 trillion to secure Rs700 billion in rupee cover for foreign-funded development projects So far Rs900 billion has been authorized for release under the ongoing year s PSDP with additional disbursements expected over the remaining
months of May and June The Annual Plan Coordination Committee (APCC) is set to meet on May 23 to finalise the development framework while the National Economic Council (NEC) is expected to approve macroeconomic targets and the PSDP by May 26 or 27 Due to the tight budget ceiling, provincial schemes included in the PSDP will see significant reductions and around 200 projects that have shown limited progress will be discontinued altogether to ensure better resource allocation
Bolan Castings extends production halt to May 23 amid slumping orders
Wapda top brass assesses damage to Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower Project after Indian attack
CONTIUNED FROM PAGE 01
He said that friendly countries in the neighbourhood can help the situation and jointly counter this regional threat
Have some sense And don t try to act like a regional hegemon you are not and respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of other states he said Live like a responsible state
The DG ISPR criticised India for shutting down news outlets and blocking access to X and other social media platforms
You don t have the capacity patience and morality to listen to the truth he said
The DG ISPR said in an apparent reference to India that if you are so fond of Pakistan firing at you, we will fulfil your demand at a time, place and means of our choosing ” He asked India to “show the debris of at least [one downed] Pakistani aircraft or drone that Pakistan has fired” as evidence that Pakistan attacked India on the previous night across the international border
The military spokesperson said that the Indian media s claims were a shame and a mockery of journalism NO DIRECT COMMUNICATION
BETWEEN PAK-INDIA NSAS
During the briefing while replying a question the DG ISPR said that he could confirm that no such direct communication has taken place between the national security advisers of Pakistan and India
As for indirect communication, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs can give a better answer as all such
t values from C hina
diplomatic efforts are handled by them he added
He was responding to a query regarding any direct or idirect talks between Pakistan and India 33 SLAIN AND 76 INJURED IN INDIAN ATTACKS SO FAR
Lt-Gen Chaudhry said that 33 people were slain and 76 were injured in Indian attacks so far amid the recent escalation There are 33 slain all civilians [with] seven females and five children There are 62 injured civilians including 10 females and two children, he added
He continued that in the military, there were 14 injured personnel “You kill two-year-old children and celebrate it? It is shameful the way they are celebrating these strikes ” the military spokesperson said while referring to the Indian media The DG ISPR said that Pakistan is the last bulwark against terrorism emanating from and being sponsored by India
He declared that dozens of evidence is available for he “horrific stories” of Indian-sponsored terrorism in Pakistan The military spokesperson added that “for each and every incident we can tell you how the Indian hand was involved The DG ISPR said that India s attempts to promote volatility at the eastern border were aimed at distracting Pakistan s counterterrorism efforts because the objectives of this incident are to provide space to the terrorists sponsored by India who are operating along the western border” such as the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan or terrorist groups in Balochistan PAF DGPR PROVIDES CHAIN OF EVENTS THAT LED TO INDIAN JETS DOWNING
During the briefing PAF DGPR Air Vice Marshal Aurangzeb Ahmed said that India deployed up to 70 fighter jets while the Pakistani side deployed 40 in their recent aerial escalation
“Crossing 100, this is the first ever in the history of aviation It is going to be taught as a textbook case and reference material in aerial combat history
He said the Indian Air Force jets had started an initial buildup that was picked up from the north and centre across the international boundary at 12:10am on May 7
He said the PAF had initiated a response within two minutes “By 12:12am, our response was activated IAF fighters got airborne in large numbers By 12:30am we were sure this was going to be the day and time to knock some sense into these guys once again
We commenced
IN D I A does not seem to have recovered from the downing of five aircraft on Tuesday/Wednesday night as it was reduced to making wild claims that only exposed it to further embarrassment this time the embarrassment of ridicule rather than that of incompetence India has claimed to have downed an F16 and a Jf-17 Thunder The F-16 has been a problem for India, especially perhaps because it has not been scrambled by the PAF, while the Jf-17 had to be shown as vulnerable because responsible for downing the IAF s Rafales The Indian embarrassment has increased after the international media, while examining the facts, seems to be unable to avoid confirming that the planes have been indeed shot down Further, the Indian launch of its drone fleet seems to have achieved no result through Indian sources have claimed to have knocked out Lahore’s air defences even though the next day saw another salvo of drones without any better results Apart from the IAF’s blushes its performance has also thrown into doubt the NJP government’s narrative about its ability to go into hostile territory and extract retribution There seems to have been a ratcheting up of the international efforts to broker peace While the USA, through Secretary of State Marco Rubio, is encouraging both Pakistan and India to engage in direct dialogue, US Vice President J D Vance has expressed doubt that the USA should get involved It should be remembered that he is hardly an honest broker, having been in India on a family visit when the Pehelgam incident took place His wife is of Indian origin and it seems that he is spouting the Indian government’s tune India does not want to have anything about the Pehelgam incident or ensuing events examined objectively for fear of exposure Secretary Rubio should probably pay attention to the crescendo of voices from other countries It is not a matter of talking to both countries The peace of the world is threatened by this stand-off, and if the USA has any claim to being a superpower, then he has to make India stand down Pakistan intends to respond to the death of its citizens, and it has to continue defending itself against Indian aggression There is a danger, remote but growing closer, that India might be merely buying time to complete preparations, and to use the Pakistani response to launch its own attack Pakistan will defend itself and ascend the escalatory ladder Someone has to knock some sense into India’s head before that
Dedicated to the legac y of late Hameed Nizami Arif Nizami (Late)
Founding Editor
M A Niazi Editor Pakistan Today Babar Nizami Editor Profit
From peace to pressure: Can the Indus Water Treat y withstand 21st century realities?
YE S the Indus Water Treaty IWT can withstand the 21st-century realities with some amendments because it has survived the wars of 1965 1971 1999 and the incidents of Pulwama and Uri Now, after the recent Pahlagam incident in Indian-occupied Kashmir IOK has raised threats to the Indus Water Treaty India has suspended the treaty but has not yet terminated it officially The Indus Water Treaty is a sign of mutual dependence for both India and Pakistan and it is considered one of the most effective water sharing treaties in the world Therefore both states cannot afford to withdraw from this treaty, and legal termination of the treaty requires the consent of both adversaries The 1947 partition of British India not only divided the land and people but also divided the important river system In 1948 India blocked the water supply to Pakistan and that was a major turning point in thinking about water security The Indus Water Treaty was signed on 19 September 1960, in Karachi It is a water-sharing agreement between India and Pakistan and World Bank WB is a signatory/mediator of this treaty The IWT was about the sharing of six important rivers between India and Pakistan Under Article 2 of the Indus Water Treaty the three Eastern rivers (Ravi Beas Sutlej) were allocated to India Under Article 3, the Western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab) were given to Pakistan The Eastern rivers used by India will be unrestricted and Pakistan has no right to use them while the western rivers will be unrestricted for Pakistan to use them but also India can use them for domestic use no consumptive use agriculture use, and generation of HEP There is a permanent Indus commission under the Indus water treaty That commission includes two commissioners each from both states They are funded by their governments A three-stage mechanism is given in the treaty to resolve any dispute regarding water or rivers The first stage is the Permanent Indus Commission and when any question or issue is raised then it is presented in front of both commissioners from each state who try to resolve it through dialogue When the problem is not resolved the second stage starts and the issue is submitted to neutral experts who look into the differences When the second stage fails to resolve the issue then the last and third stage starts and the Permanent Court of Arbitration, a stage of the dispute At this stage, legal steps have been taken After completion of 65 years, the Indus Water Treaty is still a functional and a unique example of India and Pakistan’s cooperation even during wars conflicts and diplomatic tensions But now the recent
The Palestinian Genocide
Pahlagam incident and the 21st century pressure present threats to the Indus water treaty but it does not seem to be terminated but needs some changes and advancement By looking into the history of the Indus Water Treaty then we can understand that despite wars, conflicts, and diplomatic tension between Pakistan and India, the treaty remains alive and persistent Because three important factors help in sustaining of Indus Water Treaty Mutual dependence Legally structured and binding International pressure
In the 1965 War, both states engaged in full-scale war but neither terminated the treaty because both states needed water for survival for example in agriculture energy and other aspects that’s why they thought rationally and kept the IWT separate from war Moreover from the past incidents and events it s clear that they were/are not willing to terminate the treaty If India tries to stop or block the water then it will be considered as an act of war by Pakistan Similarly, this act will encourage
It is clear that the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty by India after the Pahlagam incident is not likely to be permanent, but it will be suspended for some time . India seeks some chang es and transformation in the Indus Water Treaty, which is why India suspended the treaty Moreover, Pakistan can retaliate if India stops or blocks water to Pakistan
Tunity and our resources if we cannot protect the most oppressed among us? This is not just a Palestinian issue It is a test of our collective conscience Today, it is Gaza Tomorrow, it could be anywhere Genocide cannot be normalized Racism cannot be tolerated Ethnic cleansing cannot be justified If we allow it to continue we will lose a part of our humanity As people of conscience we must all stand with Palestine– not just in prayer and slogans but in action and resistance We must pressure governments, boycott companies involved in Israeli war crimes, support Palestinian voices, and refuse to accept media narratives that portray the oppressor as the victim We must rewrite our own story because the mainstream narratives fail to capture the truth We must be clear: Israel is not defending itself It is erasing a nation And those who support it through weapons, silence, or propaganda are complicit in genocide History will judge this moment It will remember who stood for justice and who stood for genocide The Palestinian people have shown unparalleled resilience Now it is time for the Muslim world to stand up for them, and for the West to consider its role in establishing one of the greatest human rights treaties ever The writer is a freelance columnist
Pakistan’s resolve
India still smar ts from downing of its planes
Azizul HAkim RAkib
ABut ambition does not equal strategy and a misstep could entrench regional instability for years to come One of the central dilemmas facing US policymakers is defining what a good deal looks like and for whom Iran may be willing to agree to a ceiling on enrichment levels, perhaps at 4 percent, well below weapons-grade but sufficient for civilian energy use In return Tehran would likely demand sweeping sanctions relief and the right to retain its existing nuclear infrastructure including advanced centrifuges and stockpiles below the 60 percent threshold Such a framework might seem acceptable to Western negotiators eager to buy time and prevent outright proliferation But for regional stakeholders particularly Israel this would be a bitter pill Israeli leaders have consistently opposed anything short of a total dismantling of Iran s nuclear capability, including the destruction of high-enriched uranium stockpiles and a rollback of technological progress What they envision is a Libya-style denuclearization complete verifiable and irreversible Anything less is viewed in Jerusalem as a prelude to conflict not peace The Arab Gulf states meanwhile have a different set of concerns While they share Israel s suspicion of Iran s nuclear ambitions, their broader anxiety centers on Tehran’s regional behaviour Iran’s support for proxy militias in Yemen Lebanon Iraq and Syria remains a destabilizing force The JCPOA s original flaw critics argue was that it focused narrowly on the nuclear issue while ignoring the broader architecture of Iran s malign regional activities The Gulf states fear that history might repeat itself with Tehran pocketing economic gains while continuing to fuel sectarian conflict across the Middle East Yet there are signs that Iran may be more pliable than it appears Economically the country is on the ropes Years of US-led sanctions have crushed key sectors, drained government coffers, and triggered widespread domestic discontent The protests following the death of Mahsa Amini in 2022 were not isolated events but symptoms of deeper fissures between Iran s aging revolu-
tionary leadership and a restless, digitally connected younger generation Even the regime’s carefully maintained image of invulnerability has taken hits The explosion at the Shahid Rajaee port reportedly involving ballistic missile fuel raised questions about internal safety and competence Meanwhile, Iran s strategic depth is under pressure: Hezbollah’s standing in Lebanon is eroding; Assad’s government is ousted in Syria; and Hamas has faced
The obstacles to reaching an accommodation with Russia may be prompting Trump to take a more conciliator y path in the M iddle East
ing disaffected with Israel Only 46 percent of adults expressed support for Israel the lowest number in twenty-five years and 33 percent indicated that they sympathized with the Palestinians In the American Conservative Brandan Buck also offers a reminder that there is a long history of conservative skepticism about cheek-by-jowl U S -Israel relations Considerable ferment exists in MAGA world about those relations; Trump himself will always pursue what he perceives as his own interests first Unlike Joe Biden who had a sentimental attachment to Israel Trump proceeds on the gelid Palmerstonian principle: We have no eternal allies, and we have no perpetual enemies Writing in the Jerusalem Strategic Tribune Ahmed Charai thus sounds an important note of caution about the relationship between Jerusalem and Washington In the US support for Israel among key institutions remains strong, Charai notes But the war has complicated the message At a time when American leaders are focused on domestic priorities Israel’s broader leadership – not just its government – has struggled to make its case clearly in Washington Charai s point: Israel should not take America for granted Netanyahu would do well to heed it
Jacob Heilbrunn is editor of The National Interest and is a nonresident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council s Eurasia Center
ON Thursday night, as the Pakistani military launched several attacks along India s western border news channels in the country led the charge with a barrage of unverified and often outrageously false information In line with their jingoistic coverage of India’s response to the Pahalgam terror attack, most channels and their social media handles not just claimed victory for the Indian armed forces but also the destruction of Pakistani cities and its defence establishment Many of these claims were made on air sometimes citing unidentified sources and sometimes without Scroll lists some of the more outlandish stories from this stream of misinformation
1 ARMY CHIEF ASIM MUNIR ARRESTED Early in the morning on May 9 Zee News published a story claiming that reports had emerged that Pakistani army chief Asim Munir had been “taken into custody by Pakistani authorities” because he had been working on “his personal agenda” Not only that several channels of the network claimed that General Sahir Shamshad Mirza was being considered as Munir s possible replacement Zee News was not alone The ABP news channel reported that the Pakistan army chief had been arrested, citing unidentified sources “Asim Munir ko hirasat mei liya gaya ” read the caption of its YouTube channel which has still not been edited Both Thanthi TV a Tamil news channel and Zee Telugu News ran similar reports At 12 01 am on May 9, Times Now s Twitter handle claimed that Munir had been dislodged in a coup There has been no confirmation from Indian or Pakistani media of the alleged coup against Munir or his arrest
2 ‘KARACHI PORT DESTROYED’ Around 11 pm on Thursday, several Hindi, English and regional news channels began reporting that the Indian navy had opened another front against Pakistan Some said that the Navy had attacked and destroyed the Karachi port All of these claims were made either without attribution or by citing sources For example, ABP Ananda passed off a 37-second clip of an old Philadelphia plane crash scene as the aftermath of a strike by INS Vikrant on the Karachi port during their live broadcast Alt News reported On India Today anchor Gaurav Sawant triumphantly reported that it was the first time since 1971 that the Indian Navy had attacked Karachi The Telugu news chann
had been attacked by India in a retaliatory drone and missile strike launched from INS
peated the claim and helpfully added that
M a Hossain
China says Xi, Putin reached consensus on major issues during Moscow visit
Chinese President Xi Jinping
Spokesperson
that the two leaders held “in-depth
and productive” talks in
exchanging views on bilateral
and international and regional issues At Putin s invitation, Xi is visiting Russia from May 7 to 10 During the trip, he attended the celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Soviet Union’s Great Patriotic War The visit is Xi s 11th trip to Russia more than to any other country since becoming president Lin said that during Xi s visit the two heads of state signed a joint statement on further deepening comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era and witnessed the exchange of over 20 bilateral cooperation documents injecting new imputes into the development of China-Russia relations
The two leaders also issued a joint statement on global strategic stability, reiterating that the two sides will endeavor to practice true multilateralism and sup-
port the central role of the UN and relevant multilateral mechanism The two sides stressed that nuclear-weapon states should reject Cold War mentality and zero-sum games address concerns via dialogue and consultations on an equal footing and build confidence to avoid dangerous miscalculations This demonstrates China and Russia s sense of responsibility as major countries for upholding and enhancing global strategic stability,” Lin said Additionally the two heads of state issued a joint declaration on further strengthening cooperation to uphold the
authority of international law reiterating the two countries full commitment to the principles of international law including the United Nations Charter and the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence and opposition to the abuse of unilateral sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction Lin commented that the declaration sent a strong message of resolutely upholding the international order based on international law to the international community The spokesperson reiterated Xi’s key statements about China-Russia relations Xi said that China and Russia are good
video by Chinese TikTokers mocking
A
of Rafale fighter jets to Pakistan has gone
on social media, further fueling public discourse amid escalating regional
The video features four Chinese content creators performing a parody dance while dressed in exaggerated versions of Indian attire Set to a humorous remix the performance ridicules India following Pakistan s successful downing of several Rafale jets during recent hostilities
The parody has resonated across platforms like TikTok and Weibo, where it has amassed millions of views Many Chinese users see the video as a display of support for Pakistan especially in light of growing military cooperation between Beijing and Islamabad
The mockery comes on the heels of a dramatic escalation in India-Pakistan tensions, triggered by an April 22 attack in Pahalgam, Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), which claimed 26 lives India blamed Pakistan without presenting evidence, a charge strongly denied by Islamabad
In response India closed the Wagah land border suspended the Indus Waters Treaty and revoked Pakistani visas Pakistan countered with warnings that any interference with water flow would constitute an act of war and sealed the border from its side as well
The conflict intensified further on May 6 and 7,
neighbors and true friends and that their bilateral relationship doesn t target any third party and it s not subject to restrictions from any third party Xi also stated that the two countries need to deepen political mutual trust strengthen practical cooperation and enhance solidarity to safeguard true multilateralism and steer global governance towards the right direction
As this year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression the Soviet Union’s Great Patriotic War and the World Anti-Fascist War Lin reemphasized President Xi s remarks about upholding the correct historical perspective on WWII
During Xi s visit, he said that facing unilateralism, power politics and bullying acts in the world China and Russia as two major countries and permanent members of the UN Security Council will shoulder responsibilities to uphold the correct historical perspective on WWII, safeguard the authority and standing of the UN, firmly defend the victorious outcome of WWII, resolutely defend the rights and interests of China Russia and all other developing countries and jointly promote an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization
with Pakistan s military reporting Indian missile strikes across cities including Muzaffarabad, Kotli, and Bahawalpur Pakistan retaliated swiftly, targeting military posts and downing five Indian fighter jets including four French-made Rafales Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry spokesperson for Pakistan s armed forces revealed that Pakistan could have downed even more jets but opted for restraint A senior French intelligence source confirmed to CNN that one Rafale was definitively lost, marking the aircraft’s first known combat loss globally Despite mounting evidence and foreign commentary Indian media has largely refrained from confirming the losses The Hindu a major Indian daily briefly published a report acknowledging the crash of three jets before swiftly removing it, sparking accusations of a media blackout American and French commentators have expressed concern over the incident’s implications for India s air power narrative particularly since the Rafales were considered a counterbalance to Pakistan s Chinese-made J-10C fighters
In parallel, Pakistan also announced the neutralization of 25 Israeli-made Harop drones sent by India According to the ISPR, these loitering munitions were intercepted using both electronic and conventional defense systems The total number of Indian drones downed by Pakistan has now reached 77 according to security sources with most intercepted during or shortly after the May 6–7 escalation
CM
as gas theft and strongly urges its customers to come forward and report such incidences through their helpline 1199, or by mentioning it on any of SSGC’s social media pages or by calling/ visiting their E/Physical Kachehri and reporting the gas theft cases there Gas theft is a serious crime against the community and the Company will always show zero tolerance to their heinous crime
PAKISTAN’S PAHALGAM PROBE PROPOSAL WELCOMED BY UN AND WORLD, SAYS TARAR
by India were intercepted and shot down by Pakistan s armed forces Naqvi said stressing that India is
maintaining sovereignty and safety highlighting the coun-
later extending the closure until 6 p m The PAA stated that the suspension was a precautionary measure due to “operational reasons” and the potential security threat posed by the ongoing military escalation In the aftermath of India’s missile strikes on Pakistan’s territory several international airlines particularly from Asia
ISLAMABAD
S TA F F R E P O R T
Former foreign secretary Aizaz
Chaudhry has emphasized that any future peace talks with India must include strict pre-conditions to prevent the recurring “war drama that India has staged every two years Chaudhry urged for written guarantees to ensure that such provocations do not reoccur, specifically referring to India’s recent escalation Chaudhry accused India particularly under Prime Minister Narendra Modi s administration of stoking tensions for political
gain labeling it as a part of an ongoing strategy to fuel hatred among the Indian public He also refuted India s false claim that Pakistan had fired missiles first, which he said was used as a pretext for India’s drone attacks and disinformation campaigns
The former diplomat called for a joint commission between the two countries to investigate crossborder incidents and create a clear mechanism to de-escalate tensions He stressed that the international community must establish binding guarantees to prevent India from weaponizing water resources describing this as unacceptable and a violation of regional norms
Chaudhry concluded by stating that without assurances on India’s rhetoric and aggressive tactics peace talks would be futile highlighting the need for a solid guarantee before pursuing any further negotiations
ISLAMABAD S TA F F R E P O R T
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has strongly condemned ongoing drone strikes by India calling them a blatant act of aggression and demanded an immediate and decisive response from the government to safeguard national sovereignty
In a sharply-worded statement, PTI Central Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram criticized what he described as the “RSS-driven Hindutva regime” in New Delhi warning that diplomatic restraint is being misinterpreted as weakness by the Indian leadership “The Indian regime understands only the language of force and retaliation ” Akram said emphasizing that recent attacks have resulted in the deaths and injuries of dozens of unarmed civilians He urged the government to abandon what he termed a policy of appeasement and indecision, and instead engage political stakeholders particularly PTI founder Imran Khan to formulate a unified national defense strategy Akram called for the immediate release of Imran Khan describing him as the only leader capable of uniting the country in the face of escalating regional threats He warned that the lack of a firm response could embolden India and further jeopardize Pakistan’s
