Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reiterated that the Kashmir dispute remains the primary source of tension between India and Pakistan, calling for a resolution in line with United Nations Security Council resolutions and the will of the Kashmiri people.
Speaking on the sixth anniversary of India’s revocation of Article 370, which removed Jammu and Kashmir’s special constitutional status, Sharif criticized the move as a “unilateral and illegal step” by New Delhi. He made the remarks during events marking Youm-e-Istehsal, observed annually in Pakistan to express solidarity with Kashmiris.
“The Kashmir issue continues to haunt the region’s peace and stability,” Sharif said, urging the international community to take “concrete steps” to address what he described as Indian human rights violations in the valley.
Tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours have escalated sharply in recent months. A deadly terror attack in Pahalgam in April 2025, which killed 26 Indian tourists, reignited hostilities. India blamed Pakistan-backed militants for the assault, while Islamabad denied involvement and offered a joint investigation. The crisis led to India launching Operation Sindoor in May, triggering cross-border skirmishes.
Despite the rising hostility, Sharif said Pakistan remains open to dialogue with India on all issues, including Kashmir, terrorism, water sharing, and trade. However, India has maintained that talks can only resume after concrete action is taken to end cross-border terrorism.
The Kashmir conflict remains a central fault line in South Asia, with observers warning that any further escalation could carry serious geopolitical consequences.
