Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned India’s recent air strikes on Pakistani air bases as “cowardly and unprovoked,” vowing a robust response as he convened an emergency meeting of the National Command Authority (NCA), the body overseeing Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal. The provocative rhetoric and nuclear posturing have heightened global fears of a potential nuclear escalation between the two South Asian rivals, following intense military exchanges sparked by a deadly attack in India-administered Kashmir on April 22.
Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad, Sharif accused India of targeting civilian infrastructure and killing dozens in Pakistan-administered Kashmir and Punjab province. “These are not the actions of a responsible state but a cowardly attempt to destabilize Pakistan,” he declared, referencing India’s Operation Sindoor, which reportedly destroyed key Pakistani Air Force facilities, including Nur Khan Airbase in Rawalpindi and Rafiqi Air Base in Shorkot. India claims the strikes targeted “terrorist camps” linked to groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed, a charge Pakistan vehemently denies.
The NCA meeting, attended by top civilian and military leaders, including Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir, was described by officials as a strategic review of Pakistan’s defense posture. While no official statement detailed the agenda, Sharif’s remarks about “all necessary measures” to protect national sovereignty have been widely interpreted as a signal of nuclear readiness. Posts on X amplified the alarm, with users calling the NCA’s involvement “a chilling escalation” and others accusing Sharif of “playing a dangerous game” to rally domestic support.
Pakistan’s military, under Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos, launched retaliatory strikes on Saturday, targeting Indian military sites, including a missile storage facility in northern India, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). The ISPR also claimed to have downed Indian drones and repelled missile attacks, though India insists its strikes caused significant damage to Pakistan’s air defenses. Independent verification remains limited, with conflicting reports fueling propaganda on both sides.
International reactions have been swift and alarmed. The G7 nations, in a statement issued Saturday, urged both countries to cease hostilities and pursue dialogue, warning of a “nuclear flashpoint.” U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio pressed Sharif in a call to avoid further escalation, but sources suggest Pakistan views Western mediation with skepticism, citing perceived bias toward India. China, a key Pakistani ally, called for “calm and restraint” but stopped short of condemning India’s actions.
Sharif’s remarks also included a nod to domestic unity, with the Prime Minister appealing to Pakistanis to stand firm against “external aggression.” Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, his brother, reportedly advised a diplomatic approach behind closed doors, according to The Express Tribune, but public sentiment on X shows strong support for a hardline stance, with hashtags like #PakistanStrikesBack trending.
The conflict’s roots lie in the April 22 Pahalgam attack, which killed 26 civilians and prompted India to blame Pakistan-based militants. Since then, tit-for-tat strikes have displaced thousands along the Line of Control, with Pakistan reporting blackouts in border areas and India alleging civilian deaths from Pakistani shelling in Poonch. As commercial airlines avoid regional airspace and the UN scrambles to convene a Security Council session, the international community faces mounting pressure to avert a broader conflict.
Analysts warn that Sharif’s nuclear signaling, coupled with India’s aggressive military posture, risks a catastrophic miscalculation. “The NCA meeting is a clear message: Pakistan is prepared to escalate if pushed,” said a security expert in Islamabad. With both nations entrenched and global diplomacy struggling to gain traction, the specter of nuclear conflict looms larger than ever.
