Pakistan’s Firm Military Response Led to U.S. Intervention, Says Ishaq Dar

 Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar stated that Pakistan’s resolute retaliation to Indian military actions played a decisive role in prompting international mediation, particularly from the United States. His comments come in the wake of a recently agreed ceasefire between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.

U.S. Acted After Pakistan’s Response, Says Dar

In an interview with CNN, Dar revealed that U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reached out to him via telephone, confirming that India had agreed to a ceasefire. According to Dar, the firm military posture demonstrated by Pakistan following Indian aggression was the key factor that spurred global efforts to de-escalate tensions.

“Global forces came forward to de-escalate the situation after seeing Pakistan’s firm response,” Dar stated.

Ceasefire Reached Following U.S.-Mediated Talks

The ceasefire was officially confirmed by both nations and the U.S., with President Donald Trump announcing on X (formerly Twitter) that a full and immediate ceasefire had been achieved after extended negotiations.

“After a long night of talks mediated by the United States, I am pleased to announce that Pakistan and India have agreed to a full and immediate ceasefire,” President Trump posted.

Deputy PM Dar also confirmed the agreement via his X account, stating the ceasefire took effect at 4:30 PM local time. He acknowledged the critical role of the international community in facilitating the breakthrough.

Water Dispute Remains a Flashpoint

Despite the temporary halt in hostilities, Dar warned that unresolved issues, particularly the water dispute, could jeopardize the fragile peace.

“The ceasefire between India and Pakistan can be threatened if the water issue is not resolved in the upcoming talks,” Dar emphasized, adding that failure to settle the matter would be seen as “an act of war.”

Operation ‘Bunyan-un-Marsoos’ Sparked Diplomatic Push

The ceasefire follows Pakistan’s launch of Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos, a counter-offensive in response to what Islamabad described as unprovoked Indian aggression. The operation reportedly inflicted significant damage on Indian military installations and shifted the momentum of the conflict, ultimately drawing in international mediators.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that he held discussions with senior officials from both sides over a 48-hour period to advocate for restraint and dialogue.

While the immediate threat of escalation appears to have been contained, regional observers caution that the truce’s durability will depend heavily on progress in upcoming diplomatic engagements—especially on longstanding disputes such as water rights.