Islamabad: Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar has issued a strong condemnation of what he described as India’s aggressive actions against Pakistan, specifically targeting civilian populations. Speaking to international media outlets, he stated that five locations within Pakistan were struck, resulting in civilian casualties, including women and children.

The Minister stressed that Pakistan has not initiated any aggression but reserves the right to defend itself. He criticized India’s actions as particularly reprehensible due to their focus on civilian areas. Tarar refuted Indian claims of targeting terrorist camps, asserting that the locations attacked had no such facilities.

Journalists, both foreign and local, were reportedly taken to the affected areas near the Line of Control to counter India’s claims. Tarar addressed the Pahalgam incident, arguing that India lacks evidence of Pakistani involvement, emphasizing the location’s significant distance from the Line of Control.

Highlighting Pakistan’s own struggles with terrorism, he noted that the country continues to fight extremist elements, particularly along its western borders. He emphasized Pakistan’s role as a frontline state against global terrorism, with the nation having sacrificed 90,000 lives in this effort.

Tarar also criticized India’s response to terrorism, particularly its silence on the Jaffar Express incident, and accused it of involvement in terrorist activities across multiple countries. He pointed to incidents involving Sikhs in the United States, Canada, and Australia, attributing them to Indian actions.

He cited the case of Indian naval officer Kulbhushan Jadhav as evidence of India’s involvement in terrorism. Despite these tensions, the Minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to global peace, warning against interpreting the country’s desire for stability as a sign of weakness.