Pakistan Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar confirmed on Saturday that a ceasefire agreement had been reached between India and Pakistan, bringing an end to the recent escalations in tensions between the two countries. The ceasefire went into effect at 4:30pm Pakistan Standard Time after the Pakistan Director-General of Military Operations (DGMO) called his Indian counterpart to announce that all military actions had been halted since 5pm Indian Standard Time the previous day.
Dar stated that Pakistan is “ready for a ceasefire”, but also warned that they would respond if India engages in any aggression. He also expressed gratitude to the countries involved in the ceasefire process. The United States claimed credit for helping to mediate the ceasefire, with President Donald Trump stating that he and his ministers played a role in the negotiations.
The recent tensions between India and Pakistan escalated after Indian armed forces conducted precision strikes targeting terror launchpads in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in response to the Pahalgam attack on April 22. Pakistan retaliated by attempting to attack military installations and civilian populations along India’s northern and western borders.
India responded by destroying Pakistan’s air defence systems and terror bunkers across the Line of Control, causing extensive damage to over five of their air force bases. The Indian defense ministry stated that they effectively countered Pakistan’s provocative actions along the western border using drones, long-range weapons, and fighter jets.
Despite the ceasefire agreement, concerns remain regarding Pakistan’s failure to act against the perpetrators of the Pahalgam attack. Critics have accused Pakistan of training and backing terrorists who carried out the attack on innocent tourists. Dar’s assertion that Pakistan “strives for peace” has been met with skepticism given the country’s history of supporting terrorist activities.
The ceasefire agreement provides a temporary respite from the recent hostilities, but the underlying issues between India and Pakistan remain unresolved. Both countries will need to address the root causes of the conflict in order to achieve a lasting peace in the region.