Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif announced on Tuesday that Pakistan is doing everything possible to avert war amid mounting border tensions, even as regional militaries step up military activities and diplomatic channels become less reliable.
Asif told reporters after attending a high-level security meeting in Islamabad that Pakistani military is fully prepared to defend its sovereignty while maintaining de-escalation efforts. Pakistan wants to avoid war as much as possible; thus its restrained response should not be misconstrued as weakness, said Asif.
Commentators made these remarks following increased tensions along the Line of Control (LoC), where cross-border shelling and aerial confrontations between Pakistan and India have raised fears of an all-out war. Both nations have accused each other of unprovoked aggression; diplomatic efforts to diffuse tensions have met limited success.
Asif noted that Pakistan had informed international allies and the UN of their position and has requested intervention through diplomatic channels. “We are striving to promote peace through all available channels; however, should aggression continue, we will have no other recourse but to respond in kind,” he stated.
Indian officials have not publicly addressed Pakistan’s latest statements; however, earlier this week the Indian Ministry of External Affairs warned it will take “decisive action” in response to any threats coming from across the border.
Pakistan’s government has come under increasing domestic and international pressure to maintain stability, amid fears that any military confrontation between it and India may escalate into something far more dangerous than originally anticipated. Both nations possess nuclear arsenals which could threaten regional security even with limited clashes.
Over the past week, several skirmishes and airspace violations were reported on both sides of the border. Islamabad claims it shot down multiple Indian drones while responding to artillery fire targeting civilian areas in Azad Jammu and Kashmir; India accuses Pakistan-based militants of increasing attacks in its border states.
Asif has maintained that Pakistan’s response thus far has been proportionate. “We are not exacerbating the situation; rather we are protecting our people and territory,” he noted. Peace may still be possible but both parties need to step back and allow diplomacy to work.
International observers, such as the UN and Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), have called for calm and dialogue. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres reportedly reached out to both governments, offering mediation support if requested.
As tensions remain elevated on both sides of the border, citizens on both sides remain wary. Emergency measures and curfews have been instituted in some areas while military patrols have increased along border districts.
Will efforts to prevent war succeed in the coming days? That depends on both Islamabad and New Delhi being able to prevent further escalated tension.