Live updates on Pakistan, India tensions

Amid the prevailing Pak-India tension, the federal government has given ISI DG Lieutenant General Asim Malik additional charge of National Security Adviser (NSA).

His appointment will be effective immediately. The Cabinet Division has issued a formal notification of his appointment. The NSA post has been vacant since August 2022.

Pakistan's Ambassador to the United States, Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, has urged President Donald Trump to step in and help ease soaring tensions between India and Pakistan as the US leader simultaneously strives to solve conflicts in Europe and the Middle East.

"If we have a president who is standing for peace in the world as a pronounced objective during this administration, to establish a legacy as a peacemaker, or as someone who finished wars, defied wars and played a role in de-confliction, resolving the disputes, I don't think there is any higher or flashier flashpoint, particularly in nuclear terms, as Kashmir," the ambassador said while speaking to a foreign media outlet.

"We are not talking about one or two countries in that neighbourhood who are nuclear capable. So, that is how grave it is," he remarked.

The envoy further argued that the Trump administration would need to pursue a more comprehensive and sustained initiative than witnessed in past US attempts to defuse crises that have erupted between the two countries.

In a move reflecting rising tensions, Instagram has disabled access to several high-profile Pakistani celebrities' accounts in India, including Hania Aamir, Ali Zafar, Sanam Saeed, Bilal Abbas, Iqra Aziz, Imran Abbas and Sajal Aly. 

The accounts were reportedly restricted following the April 22 Pahalgam attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), which left 26 people dead. 

While some stars, such as Fawad Khan, appear unaffected for now, the ban follows India’s broader crackdown on Pakistani digital presence, which recently included blocking 16 Pakistani YouTube channels over what it called “provocative content.”

Prime Minister's Adviser on Inter-Provincial Coordination Rana Sanaullah on Wednesday emphasised that the nation stands firmly behind its armed forces, stressing that Pakistan would respond with unity and full force to any Indian aggression.

Talking to a private news channel, he said that despite India’s military strength, Pakistan has strong defence systems, command and control structures, and international support.

“Our nation and our armed forces are ready. We are more determined and stronger in spirit,” he stated.

Rana Sanaullah said that India may consider air or missile strikes, but Pakistan is fully capable of responding.

“We are not behind in technology, and we are a nuclear power. Any attack would be met with strong retaliation,” he warned.

He mentioned that Pakistan has presented solid evidence of Indian interference in a recent press conference.

“Our foreign minister exposed India’s involvement with facts,” he added.

He urged international bodies to investigate and hold India accountable. “We want peace, but we are prepared for any threat,” he added.

The US State Department has approved the potential sale of Indo-Pacific maritime domain awareness and related equipment to India for an estimated cost of $131 million, the Pentagon said on Wednesday.

The principal contractor for the sale will be Hawkeye 360, the Pentagon said in a statement.

Lawmakers passed a joint resolution against Indian aggression in the Balochistan Assembly and expressed their determination to stand with the Pakistan Army for the stability of the country on Wednesday.

Speaking on the resolution presented against Indian aggression, Chief Minister Balochistan Sarfraz Bugti said that we are all united for the integrity of Pakistan.

He said that war is never a good option, but if war is imposed on the country, Pakistan will respond in a way that India’s future generations will remember. He added that while tea was served the first time, the response next time will be something entirely different.

He said that Balochistan is with the federation for the integrity of Pakistan.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged India and Pakistan to work with each other to de-escalate tensions after last week's militant attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), the State Department said on Wednesday.

Rubio spoke separately with Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday while expressing support to India in combating extremism and urging Pakistan to cooperate in probing the attack that killed more than two dozen people, the State Department said in separate statements after the calls.

Read more here.

India shut its airspace to Pakistani airlines on Wednesday, the government said, days after its nuclear-armed neighbour banned Indian airlines from flying over its territory following the killing of 26 men in an attack on tourists in Kashmir.

The ban will last from April 30 to May 23, the Indian government said in a notice.

The impact of the ban on Pakistan's airline industry is likely to be smaller than on India's since only Pakistan International Airlines operates routes to Kuala Lumpur using Indian airspace.

Last week, Pakistan closed its airspace to Indian-owned or operated airlines, suspending all trade including through third countries and halting special South Asian visas issued to Indian nationals.

PIA, the national carrier, said on Tuesday it had decided to avoid Indian airspace in the wake of rising bilateral tensions.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif received a telephone call from US Secretary of Sate Marco Rubio this evening and shared with him Pakistan’s perspective on recent developments in South Asia, since the Pahalgam incident.

While condemning terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, the PM underscored Pakistan’s leading role in the war against terror and its sacrifice of over 90,000 lives lost and over $152 billion in economic losses, according to a statement issued by the PM Office on Wednesday.

Terming India’s escalatory and provocative behavior as deeply disappointing and worrisome, PM Shehbaz said India’s provocations would only serve to distract Pakistan from its ongoing efforts to defeat terrorism, particularly from militant groups including ISKP (Daesh), TTP and BLA operating from Afghan soil.

He categorically rejected Indian attempts to link Pakistan to the incident and pointed to his call for a transparent, credible, and neutral investigation to bring out the facts.

He urged the US to impress upon India to dial down the rhetoric and act responsibly.

He said it was most regrettable that India had chosen to weaponise water, which was a lifeline for 240 million people of Pakistan, while also stressing that the Indus Waters Treaty had no provision for either side to unilaterally renege from its commitments.

The premier emphasised that peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute was the only way to ensure lasting peace in South Asia.

Secretary of State Rubio thanked PM Shehbaz for the detailed conversation and emphasised the need for both sides to continue working together for peace and stability in South Asia.

Pakistan Army has completed all preparations for a retaliatory response, the DG ISPR said adding that Pakistani nation will defend its sovereignty and integrity at all costs.

“The entire nation stands united [against Indian threats] and National Security Committee’s communique has already been issued,” he said.

Lt Gen Chaudhry said all political parties of the country expressed determination to give a befitting response to any Indian aggression.

He said the Pakistan Army was fully prepared to respond to any threat on all fronts, adding that India's strategy may be aimed at keeping Pakistan engaged on the eastern border.

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