Shehbaz Sharif Calls Ceasefire Deal a ‘Victory’ For Pakistan
Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday declared the ceasefire with India a “historic victory,” drawing sharp rebuttals from Indian officials who dismissed his claims as propaganda.
Just hours after India and Pakistan agreed to halt hostilities across all fronts, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif addressed the nation, hailing the agreement as a “victory” for Pakistan and crediting its military with forcing India into submission — a narrative India has flatly rejected.
Sharif described the ceasefire as “a triumph of dignity and principle,” claiming Pakistan’s forces destroyed Indian assets in “a language the enemy understands.” However, Indian authorities have called these claims “false and misleading,” asserting that the ceasefire was mutually agreed upon after Islamabad requested a halt to hostilities.
India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri clarified that it was Pakistan’s Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) who initiated the ceasefire conversation. “The request came from Pakistan’s DGMO at 3:35 pm. The ceasefire was agreed upon and began at 5 pm. No concessions were made by India,” he said.
Misri reiterated that India’s actions were limited, targeted counter-terror strikes responding to unprovoked aggression and the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. “We took calibrated action. Civilian areas and non-combatants were strictly avoided,” Misri added.
Despite the ceasefire, reports of shelling and drone incursions emerged from Jammu and Kashmir within hours. Explosions were heard in Baramulla, and drone sightings prompted air defence alerts in Rajouri and Srinagar.
Indian forces shot down four drones near an Army facility, leading to brief power outages and heightened security alerts across several sectors, including RS Pura and Akhnoor.
“The ceasefire is being violated repeatedly,” said a senior Indian Army officer. “Our response has been proportionate and focused.”
In his televised 20-minute address, Sharif thanked global leaders — including U.S. President Donald Trump, China’s Xi Jinping, and leaders from Saudi Arabia and Turkey — for facilitating the ceasefire. He singled out China as Pakistan’s “most trustworthy friend” and called for global intervention on the Kashmir and Indus Waters issues.
Sharif also accused India of targeting civilians and mosques — claims New Delhi strongly denied. Independent footage from the ground showed intact Indian airbases and undamaged infrastructure, contradicting Islamabad’s narrative.
Tensions spiked after a deadly terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22, prompting swift Indian retaliatory strikes. Cross-border drone and missile exchanges escalated over four days, with both sides suffering reported losses.
The ceasefire announcement came after overnight talks mediated by the U.S., with Trump announcing the deal on social media, calling it a “victory for peace and common sense.”
With the ceasefire still fragile and violations continuing, Indian officials have maintained a cautious stance. “We are ready for peace but will not tolerate provocation,” said a defence spokesperson.
India has urged Pakistan to uphold the agreement “with seriousness and responsibility,” warning that repeated violations will force a re-evaluation of the arrangement.
