Pakistan Offers to Join ‘Neutral Probe’ into Pahalgam Attack, Says PM Shehbaz Sharif

Following the terror attack near Pahalgam that killed 26 people, mostly civilians, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowed tough action against both the attackers and their conspirators. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said his country is open to a neutral and credible investigation.

Speaking at a military academy event in Abbottabad, Sharif stated, “Pakistan is willing to participate in any neutral, transparent, and credible investigation.” At the same time, he emphasized that the Pakistani military remains fully prepared to defend the nation’s sovereignty, recalling the country’s “measured but firm” response to India’s 2019 air strikes.

Sharif’s comments came after Pakistan’s Defence Minister, Khawaja Muhammad Asif, told the New York Times that Islamabad is “ready to cooperate” with an inquiry led by international investigators.

In retaliation for the attack at Baisaran, near Pahalgam, India announced several punitive steps against Pakistan. These included suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, closing the integrated checkpoint at the Attari border, and reducing the staff strength of the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi.