Pakistan desires peace, but prepared to respond swiftly to any aggression: DG ISPR

• DG ISPR Gen Ahmed Sharif, Information Minister brief major political parties on national security situation at an in-camera briefing
• Tarar updates parties leaders on govt’s diplomatic outreach and reiterates state’s commitment to peace, readiness for defense
• Session demonstrates rare national unity, cross-party consensus during time of heightened external security threat

ISLAMABAD: Amid the simmering escalation with India, top Pakistani military and government officials held an in-camera session on Sunday to brief members of political parties on regional security developments and preparedness of the armed forces, state-run broadcaster PTV News reported, quoting sources.

Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, and Information Minister Attaullah Tarar updated the participants of the high-level briefing held in Islamabad.

During Sunday’s briefing, political leaders were informed of the current security environment, the armed forces’ operational readiness, and Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts. DG ISPR reaffirmed Pakistan’s desire for regional peace but warned that the military is fully prepared to respond to any aggression.

“Pakistan is a peaceful nation,” he stated, “but any imposed conflict will be met with a swift and forceful response.”

Tarar also updated party leaders on the government’s diplomatic outreach and reiterated the state’s position: a commitment to peace, readiness for defense, and a demand for credible international scrutiny into the Pahalgam incident.

State broadcaster PTV and Radio Pakistan emphasized that the session demonstrated rare national unity and cross-party consensus during a time of elevated external threat.

The session focused on recent regional developments following the April 22 attack in Pahalgam, located in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), which left 26 people dead in one of the deadliest assaults since 2000.

India was quick to suggest cross-border involvement, despite offering no evidence. Pakistan has firmly denied the allegations and called for an impartial and transparent investigation into the attack, which it views as a possible false-flag operation.

Since the incident, bilateral relations have sharply deteriorated. India has revoked Pakistani visas, suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, increased military deployments, and hinted at possible airstrikes. In response, Pakistan expelled Indian diplomats, cancelled visas—except for Sikh pilgrims—and reinforced its border defenses.

Meanwhile, exchanges of fire across the Line of Control (LoC) and tit-for-tat military and diplomatic moves have raised concerns of further escalation. In a notable display of deterrence, Pakistan successfully tested an upgraded version of its nuclear-capable Abdali missile, extending its range to 450 kilometers.

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir warned on Thursday that any misadventure by India would provoke a “swift, resolute, and notch-up response.” The next day, military leadership reiterated that any Indian attempt to initiate conflict would be met with a “sure and decisive” reply.

In anticipation of potential hostilities, authorities in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) have ramped up emergency preparations, including stockpiling wheat flour in forward areas along the LoC and relocating food depots to safer zones to ensure civilian supply lines remain intact during conflict.