Pakistan says ceasefire with India extended till Sunday

Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar said the country's military had agreed to extend a ceasefire with India until Sunday, following a fresh round of military-to-military talks on Thursday.

He told Senate that both sides had "military to military communications" on Wednesday and Thursday, and "today we had a conversation and it is a ceasefire until May 18".

Tensions flared after a deadly April 22 attack in Indian-administered Kashmir killed 26 tourists. India blamed Pakistan-based militants and responded with air and missile strikes across the Line of Control, which Pakistan denied.

By May 7, both sides had exchanged heavy fire and drone attacks, raising fears of war, until a “full and immediate ceasefire” was brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump on May 10.

Dar, who also serves as foreign minister, laid out a timeline of the ceasefire decisions in his Senate address today.

“On May 10, a ceasefire until May 12 was agreed upon during DGMOs' talks. Further discussions on May 12 extended it to May 14. Contact was made again on May 14, and today -- Thursday -- both sides agreed to extend it until May 18.”

He added that while military-to-military communication was ongoing, political engagement had yet to begin.

“Now things are finally moving toward dialogue. Military channels are open, but political talks have not started yet. Ultimately, all issues will be resolved through political dialogue,” Dar said.

He further stated that Pakistan had conveyed to the international community its commitment to holding a composite dialogue with India.

“I believe the 2019 decision to revoke Kashmir's special status will eventually be reversed. Even the U.S. President has acknowledged that this issue must be resolved,” Dar said.

He emphasized that the Indus Waters Treaty cannot be unilaterally terminated, adding, “I believe the purpose of the Pahalgam incident was similar to Pulwama -- to push a particular narrative and create grounds for scrapping the Indus Waters Treaty. That was India's objective.”

Pahalgam incident: A Pulwama redux?

Dar said India had orchestrated the Pahalgam incident to portray Pakistan as a terrorist state -- a tactic reminiscent of the Pulwama attack. “India is trying to sell a narrative, just like it did after Pulwama,” he said.

He added that India made an irresponsible and aggressive statement afterward. “Some countries said India would ‘punch and kill.’ My response was simple: if India throws a punch, it should be prepared for a blow in return -- everything is on record.”

Dar said that on April 29 and 30, four Indian fighter jets approached Pakistani airspace but turned back after encountering alert Pakistani jets. “Our Air Force thwarted their plans, forcing them to return and land in Srinagar.”

Following the April 22 Pahalgam attack, Pakistan immediately put its forces on high alert. On April 24, the National Security Committee granted the military the authority to respond to any attack — but emphasized a restrained, defensive posture. “We decided to respond to bricks with stones,” Dar said.

He said the situation escalated between May 6 and 7, when India launched 75 to 80 aircraft, including Rafales, SU-30s, and MiG-29s, to carry out strikes on Pakistan. “Indian aircraft dropped payloads at 24 sites in six cities -- four in Punjab and two in Azad Jammu and Kashmir -- none of which were militant hideouts. All were civilian targets. Mosques were destroyed at two locations. We invited the world to see for themselves.”

According to Dar, Pakistan’s military achieved major success that night. “Orders were clear -- shoot down any aircraft violating our airspace or dropping payloads. Our forces shot down six Indian jets and one UAV.”

He said that by May 7, India had suffered a significant blow, despite attempting to sideline Pakistan diplomatically. “This proved India doesn't have a regional monopoly.”

Drone incursions and 'a calculated military response'

Dar said Pakistan exercised restraint, but India escalated tensions by sending drones across the border. “First, 29 drones were sent. Then on May 9, 90 more crossed into Pakistan's western region, causing widespread concern.”

In a high-level meeting on May 9, Pakistan’s military was given authority to respond decisively. “Out of 80 drones, 79 were neutralized. Only one managed to cause minor damage to a military installation, injuring four soldiers.”

He revealed that shortly after the meeting, India launched further strikes -- targeting Nur Khan Air Base, Shorkot, Rahim Yar Khan, and Sukkur Airport. “That’s when our pre-planned response was activated.”

‘No Pakistani F-16 entered Indian airspace’

Dar said that despite Indian claims, no Pakistani F-16 entered Indian airspace. “We know the exact movements of our F-16s. The U.S. issued a statement confirming none flew into India, exposing two major Indian lies.”

He emphasized that Pakistan’s responses on May 7 and May 10 were in self-defense and in line with international law and the UN Charter.

Dar recalled that Pakistan had issued a condolence message after the April 22 incident. “We didn’t condemn it because India has never condemned terrorist incidents in Pakistan. Did they say anything after the Jaffar Express hijacking? No.”

He said that on the morning of May 10, U.S. Secretary of State Rubio called, informing him that India was ready for a ceasefire. “We said if India is ready, so are we -- but they must give assurances. We didn’t initiate anything and never will. We’re only defending ourselves.”

By noon, a hotline was established between the DGMOs of both countries. India, according to Dar, tried to buy time and proposed a ceasefire by 3 p.m., but violated it. “We responded accordingly -- our goal was always de-escalation.”

Eventually, the DGMOs finalized a ceasefire at 4:30 p.m. on May 10. “Of the six Indian aircraft shot down, three were Rafales, one was an SU-30, and two were MiGs. Credit goes entirely to our armed forces.”

Despite agreeing to the ceasefire, Dar said India violated the LoC again that night. “We responded with force. India ended up waving white flags and retreating.”

'IWT suspended'

Meanwhile, India's foreign minister said that a key water treaty with Pakistan would remain suspended until Islamabad ends "cross-border terrorism", days after the neighbors reached a ceasefire to end four days of fighting.

"The Indus Waters Treaty is held in abeyance and will continue to be held in abeyance until the cross-border terrorism by Pakistan is credibly and irrevocably stopped," Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said.