Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif Forgets Pahalgam Attack, Calls Op Sindoor 'Unprovoked'
In addition to targeting India's post-Pahalgam actions, Shehbaz Sharif accused New Delhi of breaching the Indus Waters Treaty and using shared rivers as leverage
At the 17th Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO) Summit in Azerbaijan, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif once again used a multilateral forum to target India — this time invoking the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, the Kashmir issue, and the Indus Waters Treaty, while framing India's response as 'unprovoked aggression".
Speaking at a time when Pakistan faces growing international scrutiny over its role in cross-border terrorism, Sharif told fellow ECO member states that India's actions were 'reckless" and aimed at destabilising regional peace. 'The unprovoked and reckless Indian hostility directed towards Pakistan after an unfortunate incident in Jammu and Kashmir was yet another attempt to destabilise regional peace," he claimed.
The 'incident" referred to was the brutal massacre in Pahalgam's Baisaran Valley, where 26 innocent civilians were killed in one of the deadliest attacks in Kashmir in recent years. The Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba offshoot, The Resistance Front (TRF), had claimed responsibility for the attack. India responded with Operation Sindoor, targeting multiple terror launchpads across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir used by groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar, and Hizbul Mujahideen.
Sharif did not mention the victims of the Pahalgam attack, nor did he acknowledge the Pakistan-based origin of the group that claimed responsibility. Instead, he praised his military's response to India's cross-border strikes: 'The world witnessed the steadfast resolve of our valiant Armed Forces under the leadership of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir." He also thanked ECO nations for their support in the wake of what he portrayed as Indian aggression.
In a now-routine move, Sharif raised the Kashmir issue again, equating Indian security operations in the Union Territory with violence in Gaza and Iran. 'Pakistan stands firmly against those who perpetrate barbaric acts against innocent people anywhere in the world, whether in Gaza, Kashmir, or Iran," he said, sidestepping the fact that the Pahalgam massacre was carried out by a group based in his own country.
'Weaponisation Of Water'
Sharif further accused India of violating the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), claiming that New Delhi was 'weaponising" water against Pakistan. 'This violation is completely unacceptable. The Indus waters are a lifeline for Pakistan's 240 million people. India's actions amount to aggression," he said, referencing the recent verdict by the Permanent Court of Arbitration that went against India on a procedural technicality but did not halt Indian projects.
India has maintained that all its hydroelectric projects on the western rivers — particularly the Kishanganga and Ratle — are fully compliant with the treaty's terms.
Remarks On Iran, Israel And Gaza
Sharif also condemned Israel's recent strikes on Iran, calling them 'unlawful, unjustified and uncalled for". Over 600 people reportedly died in the Israeli operation, which targeted key elements of Iran's nuclear infrastructure in June.
'Pakistan strongly condemns this act of Israeli aggression… We pray for a speedy recovery of our injured brothers and sisters in Iran," he said, using the moment to draw equivalence between events in Iran, Gaza and Kashmir.
Climate And Regional Cooperation
Outside of geopolitics, Sharif urged ECO member states to ramp up cooperation on climate change. Citing Pakistan's vulnerability, including the 2022 floods that displaced over 33 million people, he proposed 'low emissions corridors," a regional 'disaster resilience system," and investment in 'green jobs" through eco-tourism and clean energy initiatives.
'Pakistan is aggressively pursuing the 4F plans focusing on resilience, recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction," he said, pitching a 'dedicated framework to mobilise climate finance."
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