Politics
Exclusive: Pakistan Pushes for UN Talks as Tensions Soar After Pahalgam Attack
Islamabad/New Delhi, May 1, 2025 – Pakistan is reportedly seeking an urgent UN Security Council discussion, citing fears of Indian military retaliation following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people, mostly tourists, in Jammu and Kashmir. Sources indicate Islamabad is pressing for global mediation to avert escalation, recalling India’s 2019 Balakot airstrike.
Why Pakistan is on Edge
- Military Alert: Pakistan has bolstered troop deployments along the Line of Control (LoC), expecting Indian action, sources say.
- Diplomatic Heat: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged Pakistan to condemn the attack and curb militancy, signaling limited support for Islamabad.
- Economic Strain: Pakistan Stock Exchange’s KSE-100 index fell 3,545 points (3.09%) on April 30, reflecting investor panic amid geopolitical risks.
Pakistan’s Response
- UN Appeal: Pakistan alleges India’s “provocative” moves, like suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, threaten regional stability, though no formal UN session is confirmed.
- China Ties: Beijing voiced support for Pakistan’s “sovereignty” but urged restraint, with no naval drills reported near Gwadar.
- Strong Rhetoric: PM Shehbaz Sharif warned of a “decisive” response to any Indian aggression, denying links to the attack.
India’s Strategic Moves
- Security Ops: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is probing the attack, linked to The Resistance Front, a Lashkar-e-Taiba offshoot. India claims cross-border terror ties.
- Economic Leverage: India halted trade via Wagah-Attari, impacting Pakistan’s $1.2 billion annual trade with India, and suspended visa services.
- Global Push: India briefed G20 envoys, sharing evidence of Pakistan-based terror networks, gaining nods from the US, France, and Japan.
Historical Context: Flashpoints
| Year | Event | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Uri Attack | India conducted surgical strikes in PoK |
| 2019 | Pulwama/Balakot | IAF struck JeM camps in Balakot |
| 2025 | Pahalgam Attack | Ongoing diplomatic-military standoff |
What’s Next?
- Critical Window: Sources suggest India may act within days, with PM Modi granting armed forces “full operational freedom.”
- US Mediation: No confirmed visit by Jake Sullivan, but the US urged both nations to de-escalate, per State Department statements.
- Market Jitters: Gold prices climbed 2% globally as investors eye South Asian tensions.
The Pahalgam attack, the deadliest since Pulwama, has pushed India-Pakistan ties to a breaking point. With both sides trading barbs and the UN urged to step in, the region braces for a tense few days.
