In first reaction since Pahalgam terror attack, Pakistan trots out its familiar post-attack line: Open to any ‘neutral’ probe

Sharif, in a speech to the passing-out parade of army-cadets at Pakistan Military Academy in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s Kakul, said: “The recent tragedy in Pahalgam is yet another example of this perpetual blame game which must come to a grinding halt. And now continuing with its role as a responsible country, Pakistan is open to participate in any neutral, transparent and credible investigation”.

The event was attended by senior military officers and Sharif was seen speaking from a prepared text – an indication that the speech was prepared, vetted and sanctioned by the Pakistan establishment.

This is not the first time Pakistan has offered to “participate” in investigations. Indeed, it is a pattern meant to deflect heat and wash its hands of complicity.

After the 2008 serial attacks in Mumbai in which 166 were killed, Pakistan’s then President Asif Ali Zardari had offered to cooperate with India on the probe. Pakistan did so again after the January 2016 Pathankot terror attack (in which eight Army personnel and the four terrorists were killed). Indeed, a team of Pakistan investigators and officials had visited the Pathankot airbase.

After the Uri attack in September 2016 in which 19 Army personnel were killed, Pakistan had also suggested a joint probe.

Three years later, following the Pulwama terror attack in 2019 in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed, former Pakistan PM Imran Khan had claimed that Pakistan was ready to cooperate in the Indian investigation and would take action if Delhi provides any “actionable intelligence”.

Talking about the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty by India, Sharif said any attempt to stop, reduce or divert the flow of water belonging to Pakistan would be responded to with full force and might.

“Water is our lifeline and a vital national interest, and its availability will be safeguarded at all costs and under all circumstances,” he said. He was addressing the Indian diplomatic retaliatory measures, followed by statement by India’s water resources minister C R Patil stating that: “We will ensure that not even a drop of water from the Indus river goes to Pakistan.”

Delhi has formally informed Pakistan that the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) was being suspended with immediate effect.

Sharif, younger brother of three-time Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif, is considered close to the Pakistan Army. “Our valiant armed forces are capable and remain fully prepared to defend the country’s sovereignty and its territorial integrity against any misadventure,” he said.

Nawaz Sharif was in power when then Pak Army Chief Parvez Musharraf planned and executed the Kargil incursions that led to the war in 1999 — without then PM Sharif’s knowledge or approval.

That New Delhi has information to link Pakistan to the attack has been part of some of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s phone calls with 13 world leaders, and meetings in Delhi between more than 30 ambassadors and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and other senior officials in the Ministry of External Affairs.

Sharif said Muhammad Ali Jinnah had called Kashmir a jugular vein of Pakistan. He said the “globally recognised dispute” remained unresolved despite UN resolutions. In fact, Pakistan Army Chief Gen Munir had called Kashmir a “jugular vein” last week, in a speech that was seen as provocative by Delhi and foreshadowed the Pahalgam terror attacks.